Highlights of the National Flag and Anthem Day Celebrations

BY: KUMILACHEW ABEBE

Addis Ababa (17/4/2008)-Highlights of the National Flag and Anthem Day Celebrations

It was six months back, the Addis Ababa Millennium Secretariat come up with the idea of celebrating the National Flag and Anthem Day.

The idea was welcomed by the government. Hence, The Addis Ababa Millennium Secretariat joined arms with the National Millennium Festivals Celebration Secretariat and other stake holders to celebrate the event colorfully across the nation.

On April 2008, a meeting chaired by Foreign Minster Seyoum Mesfin, has been held at the Addis Ababa Municipality to discuss on and develop the proposed concept paper of the celebration.

Speaking on the occasion, Seyoum said that, the National Flag and Anthem are of paramount importance to strengthen national consensus and develop common understanding among peoples of Ethiopia. 

Poverty is the worst enemy that threatens our national pride and unity and is a set back in our struggle to ensure good governance and democracy. Thus, it is only when we exert the maximum effort in the fight against poverty that we can say ‘we have given the proper respect to our flag’, said Seyoum.

Information Minster Birhan Hailu in his part said, “The country’s national flag and anthem symbolizes the peaceful co-existence and tolerance being observed among nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. However, there were no such commendable efforts in promoting our national flag and anthem. Hence, such idea of celebrating the national flag and anthem day is significant and laudable”

The former Addis Ababa City Caretaker Administration Information and Culture Bureau Head, Misganu Arga said that, celebrating the national flag and anthem day is by itself a great input to maintain the national consensus being observed as we are celebrating the New Ethiopian Millennium.

Ayat Share Company, the leading Real Estate Development in the nation, has taken the initiative in sponsoring the whole event exclusively.  Owner of the sponsoring company, Ayalew Tesema said, “it is a great privilege, and of course, a national obligation to share the responsibility in celebrating such grand event”

Ayalew expressed his willingness to sponsor the national flag and anthem day every year.

Foreign Minister Seyoum expressed his admiration and gratitude towards the sponsor on behalf of the Ethiopian peoples and government.

Some other high ranking government officials have also attended the meeting.

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