BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Ethiopians are celebrating the 17th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day (NNPD) with various events. The Day will be celebrated at national level on December 8, at Hawassa City, Sidama State; warmly and colorfully.
In relation to this, states are also marking the day with various events. As part of this, last Sunday cultural festival was held in Addis Ababa at Meskel Square under the theme “Our unity for our lasting peace”. At the festival, cultural attire, ornaments and traditional dances that represent all nations, nationalities and peoples were staged.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker of the Addis Ababa City Council Faiza Mohammed said that Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day is a day that Ethiopians will continue strengthening their solidarity and togetherness through promoting Ethiopia’s untapped attractions. As to her, the day has multilayered benefits to Ethiopians. It is a platform where Ethiopians from different parts of the country promote their cultural values and practices and strengthen their togetherness.
City’s Land Development and Administration Bureau Head Kenea Yadeta on his part said that, NNPD has an important role in strengthening lasting peace, ensuring common development and reinforcing solidarity among Ethiopians.
Similarly, the 17th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day was also marked at States level in Shashemene Town, Oromia State. “When we celebrate NNPD, it should be by strengthening our national unity and laying the foundation for building a nation where its people live with respect and dignity,” said Elias Umata, the Deputy Speaker of Chefe Oromia.
At a panel discussion held in relation to the day, the Deputy Speaker said that the Day should be celebrated in a manner deepening our national unity based on our diversity. The day is an opportunity that we can further strengthen our values, togetherness and solidarity. “We have to stand together and join hands to build a country where the unity and prosperity of the people is ensured,” he underscored.
President of Oromia State University Dr. Geremew Huluka, who presented a discussion document under the topic of the Federalism system, also stressed the importance of strengthening unity based on diversity.
Building unity that accommodates diversity requires great political wisdom, said Southern State Council Speaker Fate Sermolo at the closing ceremony of the 17th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Day at Halaba Kulito Town, in the State.
The Speaker said that, at a festival held recently at Halaba Kulito Town. As to the Speaker, the day has a meaningful role in terms of cementing people to people ties among Ethiopians. As to her, accepting the existing reality the country is in and responding to queries that arise from time to time in a democratic way and in a manner that supports the federal system is important. The people of Ethiopia are duty bound to defend all enemies and safeguard their peace and security.
Fate said that now, more than ever before, Ethiopia deserves sustainable peace. “Therefore, we will renew our promise to work for peace committedly and aggressively,” she vowed. Mentioning the value of the already commenced national dialogue and discussion with regard to reaching to national consensus, the Speaker urged every citizen to discharge their responsibility accordingly to bring about sustainable peace.
“We should stand hand in hand like our ancestors by respecting and accepting diversity properly. Especially, by amplifying the notion of ‘us’ instead of ‘me’, we need to strengthen solidarity. We should ensure the prosperity of our country by creating a favorable environment for peace and development and building a multi-national federal system,” she said.
Taking into consideration the energy exerted; and the sacrifice it is paid, every citizen should work committedly to achieve the goal of building sustainable peace. Speakers of Afar, Sidama and Southwest Ethiopia People’s Councils who attended the program also delivered a message.
The Ethiopian Herald December 6/2022
