ADDIS ABABA- The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Second President Girma Wolde-Giorgis (1924-2018) will be laid to rest today in state funeral today at Holy Trinity Cathedral, where a funeral service will be held, the National Committee overseeing the funeral announced. The late President passed away on December 15, 2018 aged 94.
Girma Wolde-Giorgis, who was also known for his strong speeches of the values of living in harmony, served in various positions and contributed a lot in nation building. In his political career, Girma was the two term [six years] President of Ethiopia from 2001-2013. He was one of the pioneers in the Ethiopian air force dominated by American technicians by then; and tried to motivate Ethiopians to join the airlines and wrote a book on fundamentals.
According to his biography, he served at the Ethiopian Military Radio Communication, Air Force and took various Air Management courses, eventually becoming assistant teacher in air navigation and flight control as well as Director General of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Planning at its establishment.
By the 1957, he assumed the post of Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, and was Board member of the Ethiopian Airlines during the same period. The late President played vital role to win a seat for the Ethiopian Parliament in the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), and attended conferences of the IPU in Switzerland, Denmark and former Yugoslavia, and was elected as Vice President of the 52nd Meeting of the International Parliamentary Union.
He also served in various nongovernmental offices, associations, and charity organizations, trade unions, among others, as a founder, manager and leader. The late President Girma Wolde-Giorgis was a father of five children, and sociable in dealing with peoples from all walks of life.
In related news, the House of People’s Representative (HPR) declared today, Wednesday 19th of December, as a national day of mourning to honor former President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Girma Woldegiorgis, who passed away on Saturday. Today, the country’s flags will be hoisted at half-staff and half-mast all over the country, over Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions and all vessels ships owned by Ethiopia. The House also expressed its deepest condolences over the death of former President Girima Woldegiorigis.
The Ethiopian Herald, December 19/2018
BY TEWODROS KASSA AND GENET FEKADE
