A meeting with Tekeleweyni Assefa REST/EFFORT Director and TPLF CC Member   San Jose California August 11, 2013-  Ethiopians and Ethio-Americans from the  Bay Area in Northern California were briefed on the ongoing development of Tigray and Ethiopia in general. The meeting hosted by UTNA Bay Area was well attended and was held in San Jose California.  Long time REST director and current EFFORT board member and TPLF CC member Tekeleweyni Assefa gave a detailed and very informative presentation on the current growth and transformation plan for the State( (click to read) and the progress made so far. As we all know Ethiopia is going through the first phase of the  five year plan- also known as GTP, and every regional government has adopted its own plan based on the federal plan. Tekeleweyni as a long time leader of the much revered organization that saved millions of life and has been at the forefront in the battle to eradicate poverty in Tigray since the struggle days did not mince words to explain the audience the challenges the people of Tigray faced to become who they are and where they are today! Tekeleweyni supported by a power point and key economic figures explained the achievements made so far in agriculture productivity, educational coverage and reduction of the percent of people who are considered poor and the improvement in numbers of those who have escaped the lower strata of the poverty level since TPLF/EPRDF came to power. After the well delivered presentation the  floor was opened to question and answer session. Many questions were asked covering corruption, good governance and the quality of education. Tekeleweyni  assured  everyone more than any time in the past the government as well as EPRDF is determined to weed out corruption and  improve governance. He admonish the participants they have also to be involved since neither of the issues will be solved by the government alone. He told the audience there is nothing impossible to overcome if everyone gets involved. Unlike the past last few years many of the questions raised were around the issue of corruption and good governance and not Shaibya and the one man government in Eritrea!  However there was one last passing question with a passing remark by Tekeleweyni on Eritrea and the need for nearby sea port. Tekeleweyni reaffirmed the government position that Ethiopia is always ready to make peace with Eritrea  and has not given hope the one man government in Eritrea will one day give peace a chance. Tekeleweyni said Ethiopia knows very well it will benefit if all its neighbors are at peace thus why it has a peaceful coexistence as  its anchor foreign policy.   The meeting was very informative and participants were very pleased by the presentation and the development news. Many of the participants were also genuinely  affected by Tekeleweyni's message of unity and solidarity. Tekeleweyni admonish every one not to be divided. He told everyone they should come together and solidify their unity. He told everyone in no uncertain term that their destiny will depend on their unity. All the associations and alumni's should find ways to come together and harness their energy for a higher cause that will serve all of them.