Arba Minch University celebrated 24th anniversary of ‘The National Day,’ - May 28 (Ginbot 20), the downfall of oppressive Derg regime with great enthusiasm at New Auditorium on 2nd June 2015. AMU top officials including academic, admin, support staff, students and others attended the event. Click here to see the Pictures.

University President, Dr Feleke opening the celebration said,’ ‘‘The downfall of oppressive Derg regime put Ethiopia on the path of growth and development. Before 24 years only few kids could go to school but today over 25 millions are pursuing education in various levels of education as their number has grown by leaps and bounds.’‘
The event was organized by Corporate Communication Directorate. This year, Ethiopia celebrated the Day with the central theme - ‘‘Ethiopia: A nation that has become an epitome of development parrying the risk of disintegration.’’ The celebration began with Gamo Gofa band rendering cultural numbers signifying five ethnic groups residing in Gamo Gofa Region.
Dr Feleke further stated, ‘‘This day has ushered in democracy and assured equality on linguistic, ethnic, religious and gender lines and it could be possible because tens of thousands of committed citizen laid down their lives. Hence these martyrs deserved great respect. Their sacrifice has established political stability and peace in the nation that is making our Growth Transformation Plan (GTP) successful; we need to sustain it.’’
Gamo Gofa Zone Administrator, Mr Tilahun Kebede, said, ‘‘Those who sacrificed their lives were aware that the movement would cost their lives but in order to bring peace, justice and transformation in the country they embraced death. Now it’s our bounden duty to sustain that change. He urged AMU to support the development process by providing quality education, research and community services.
Corporate Communication Directorate Director, Mr Fissiha Bekele, in his terse presentation on May 28, has revealed that World Bank has acknowledged Ethiopia’s 10.5% economic growth in last 24 years has galvanized the per capita income and in next 10 years it’s likely to go up.
Citing Derg regime’s poor socio-economic scenario, he pointed out, then Ethiopia had only 469 Megawatt power that has now grown manifold and with many hydro and wind power plants i.e. Gilgel Gibe, Genale Dawa, Adama-II, Langano Geothermal, Ethiopia would generate over 10000MW energy for its population, which would also bring extra revenue for the government.
Then primary sectors i.e. education, health and infrastructure were fully ignored. With Ethiopian People Republic Democratic Front at the helms of affairs things began to change. People now elect their own government that led the establishment of good governance.
In the erstwhile regime poor people were deprived of healthcare facilities as there were no primary health centres and clinics in the villages only few hospitals were found in the town. Now, Ethiopia has 16251 PHCs in rural areas and 331 full-fledged hospitals serving the entire citizen.
Education sector then was in utter disarray as there were few schools; now it has been rejuvenated as innumerable primary and higher education institutions, over 35 universities and many research institutions are shaping up the fate of its people and the nation.
Dr Feleke and Mr Tilahun cut the cake with lighting sparkling sticks marked the beginning of the ceremony. General discussion that ensued after the presentation has AMU top officials, academic and admin staff members and others enthusiastically vouchsafed for the growing Ethiopia. All agreed the downfall of Derg regime was the beginning of new Ethiopia.

(By Corporate Communication Directorate: Philips Joseph)