Tigray, March 2, 2008 (Axum) - President Girma Woldegiorgis said the all famous victory of Adwa the sons and daughters of Ethiopia gained over Italian invaders 112 years ago has ever since been shining in the hearts and minds of Africans and all black people.The president said the new generation and posterity should repeat that victory in development by vanquishing poverty.
The president made the statement in Adwa on Sunday at a colorful ceremony held to mark the 112th anniversary of that historic day on which Ethiopians annihilated a sizable military force of Italy who had invaded the land in their colonial ambitions in East Africa.
Minister of the National Defense Forces, Kuma Demeksa on his part said the Ethiopian peoples are peace loving. They live by a strong principle of peaceful co-existence with any country.
However, they have always stood in unison to have driven back successive foreign aggressions that at various times threatened the sovereignty of the country.
Kuma called on the people to strengthen ongoing efforts to extricate the country from poverty.
State chief, Tsegay Berhe on the occasion said the UN Security Council should not condone the blatant acts of the government in Asmara that rendered the Algiers Peace Agreement null and void.
President of the Association for Ancient Ethiopian Patriots, Astatke Abate also said the Axum obelisk was returned from exile following the diplomatic efforts of the government.
Various befitting programs were staged including a parade. Earlier at midnight a firework illuminated the skies of Adwa where the internationally famous victory was gained over colonialists, which reverberated throughout the continent to serve as a motivational force for African liberation fighters.
There has been various projects to making Adwa one of the major tourist destinations by constructing museums, a landmark and hospitality services.
Ethiopians from across the country, representatives of nations and nationalities, senior government officials, diplomats, religious leaders and members of the foreign community in Ethiopia attended the celebrations.
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E: 4:16 P.m.
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