Nations and Nationalities Day celebrated in Washington, D.C.

Washington DC 12/20/09-(Aigaforum)   Nations, Nationalities and People’s Day of Ethiopia was colorfully celebrated for a fourth consecutive year at the ballroom of the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, D.C. last Sunday.

     The occasion was marked by a festive mood and a sense of dedication by Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans to redouble their effort to keep the on-going momentum of nation building currently in full swing in Ethiopia.

     Mr. Shiferaw Shigute, the Chief Administrator of the Southern Regional State of Ethiopia who was in a working tour in the U.S. addressed the gathering which attracted over two hundred attendees from the Washington Metro area.

     Mr. Shiferaw, underscored the significance of the occasion by stating that the day epitomized the unity in diversity and equality of the Ethiopian people, under the umbrella of a constitutional order that has guaranteed the respect of human and democratic rights of the citizenry.

     The guest of honor also briefed the Diaspora Ethiopians on the significant measures that are being made to ensure that the upcoming May 2010 election is free, fair, democratic and credible in the eyes of the Ethiopian people and the international community.

     In a separate development Mr. Shiferaw Shigute apprised Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans on the on-going fast and vast investment and economic development endeavour in Ethiopia last Saturday at a meeting held in the premises of the Ethiopian Embassy here in Washington, D.C.

     During the briefing about current opportunities in Ethiopia, he called upon those domiciling in America to come home and join ranks in the effort being waged to extricate the nation from poverty.  Mr. Shiferaw cited the government’s vision to enlist Ethiopia as one of the middle income countries of the world in less than two decades.  The Chief Administrator also counted on the propitious conditions prevalent in Ethiopia that are conducive to investment in all fields and he particularly highlighted the gains that were achieved in the Southern Regional State that have created suitable socio-economic and political climate for engagement.