Ethiopians in the UK celebrate Nations and Nationalities Day
Ethiopian Embassy London
Tigrai Onlne December 10, 2013
Members of the Ethiopian Diaspora residing in the UK marked the Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and People's Day (NNPD) in London, reflecting on the significant gains made in respect for the political, economic, social and civil rights of people which empowered them to be the masters of their own destiny.
The celebrations of the NNPD at the Ethiopian Embassy in London was organised by the Ethiopian Somali community in the UK, in collaboration with the various development associations.
The peoples of Ethiopia have paid dearly to put in place the new federal and democratic system, which upholds and nurtures equality and justice in the pursuit of growth and prosperity.
The equality of nations and nationalities is the linchpin for unity in diversity and underlies all relationships among the regional states, which are the building blocks of the federal government.
Ethiopians across the nation are engaged in multi-faceted intensive development programmes that have significantly improved the livelihoods of the people through the changes effected in various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, education, health, infrastructure and communications.
Chairman of the Somali Diaspora Forum, Dr. Nuur Hussein
H.E. Berhanu Kebede, Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK, in a speech he gave at the colourful celebrations of the 8th Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Day (NNPD) congratulated fellow compatriots on the successes they have achieved and called for robust engagement in the implementation of mega projects including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), railway networks, roads, educational and health facilities and telecommunications.
He said the Ethiopian nations, nationalities and peoples have to remain fully engaged in order to deepen gains in the political, social and economic sectors to ensure better opportunities and living conditions.
He underlined the key role the Diaspora could play in boosting investment, knowledge transfer, as well as trade and business promotion, as part of the national drive to alleviate poverty and ensure economic growth.
The Ethiopian Constitution, he said, provides for the respect and promotion of indigenous traditions, cultures, and languages and guarantees nations and nationalities as stakeholders to have equal say in the political, economic and social life of the nation of Ethiopia.
Entrenching democratic institutions, capacity building and good governance will remain the government’s priority, he said, and urged participants to use every opportunity for the realization of Ethiopia's renaissance.
Ethiopia has become a destination for a growing number of investors owing to its conducive investment environment, incentives and a huge market of over 90 million people and an emerging economy expanding in double digits over the last decade.
H.E. the Ambassador called on fellow citizens to stand united, to mobilize resources, and intensify involvement in nation building endeavours with heightened commitment and resilience, to see through the five-year Growth and Transformation Plan.
He also cited the progress made in the expansion of education and health facilities, construction of roads and potable water, improved services to pastoralists and women in the emerging Ethiopian Somali
Regional State, which hosted the NNPD today with wide-ranging activities highlighting and celebrating the diverse Ethiopian cultures and traditions.
H.E. the Ambassador and other guests visited a display of Somali traditional and cultural goods exhibited at the Embassy.
In speeches they gave at the event, representatives of the Tigray Development Association (TDA), the Amhara Development Association (ADA), the South Ethiopia People Association (SEPA), the Ethiopian Somali Diaspora Forum (ESDF) and the Ethiopian National Consensus Forum (ENCF), noted the importance of the Day, which reflected the constitutional guarantee for equality and sovereignty of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia.
Chairman of the Somali Diaspora Forum, Dr. Nuur Hussein
Chairman of the Ethiopian Somali Diaspora Forum, Mr. Nuur Hussein, expressed gratitude to all members of the community for their contribution to the organization of the event and urged compatriots to support development efforts in the Somali region and beyond for the realization of a developed and prosperous Ethiopia.
Ethiopians from all walks of life, they said, should stand in unison to carry out the on-going massive development projects, dedicating all knowledge and resources to bringing about national economic and social transformation.
A musical show celebrating the diverse, colourful traditional and cultural dances was staged and refreshments served at the event, in the presence of the Ethiopian Diaspora community, invited guests and friends of Ethiopia.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to individuals and organizations for their outstanding contribution for the furtherance of community participation and a cake was cut as part of the celebrations.
A minute of silence was also observed in memory of the departed South African Leader, Nelson Mandela.
***ENDS***
For further information, please contact the
Press Office on 02078383883/0;
email: info@ethioembassy.org.uk
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