*Living as a martyr and dying a Martyr: A tribute to Minster Woldemichael
Gebremariam*
* *This past week Eritrea lost another son that will forever be
remembered for his dedication and hard work to make sure that Eritrea will
forever be a peaceful nation in the otherwise unstable region that it is
located in. Veteran fighter Woldemichael Gebremariam, Minister of Local
Government, left us to be with the higher power at the age of 72. What
makes his martyrdom even more unique is the fact that he died doing what he
loved best. He also happened to leave us in a city that has always been
known for its symbol of independence. As most of us are aware he left us
while in Keren city on his way back from a working visit in Gash-Barka
region.
Tegadaly Woldemichael, one of the founders of the Eritrean Liberation
Movement (Haraka) and the EPLF, has served his country with honor and
dedication. He was like most Eritreans a person that deeply and
passionately gave his life to build a strong tomorrow for his people. He
was assigned to many tasks and served Eritrea in the Homeland and abroad in
the course of the armed struggle for independence, as well as recently
until his death in the nation-building process.
I would like for all Eritreans and especially the youth to use this
occasion as a way to pay respect and appreciate your country for having and
being blessed with such incredible leaders who never betray the trust of
our martyrs. I never knew the Tegadaly minster very well but I had a chance
to meet him while in Eritrea a few years ago. I want to say based on his
deeds he has proven to be a great servant of his people and nation. As
minister of land, water and environment he has played a huge role in
helping Eritrea become a self-sufficient nation that continues to develop
and build many projects that provide people with access to safe and
adequate drinking water as well as other projects that will make Eritrea
one of the fastest developing nations to meet all the goals of the United
Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Last but not least, I want to emphasize on something that we should all be
proud of. Let us ponder and pause for a couple of minutes and it does not
matter what political agenda you may have but when a person dedicates 52
years of their life that is more than half of a century to a cause they
strongly believed in and continued to fight for it until death, they should
in my opinion be considered a hero. This brothers and sisters is
dedication. I am not amazed at all that Eritrean leaders like bitsai
Woledemichael are selfless because they have never forgotten how this
nation was built. They have witnessed so much. They have seen their best
friends give up their lives so that Eritrea will be the place they
envisioned, free independent and advanced. In the end I would like to share
my condolences to the late Minister Woldemichael’s immediate family, the
Eritrean people and the entire world for losing a person that exemplifies
the true dedication of “SACRIFICE”.
May you rest in peace sir,
Mike Seium
Received on Fri Aug 09 2013 - 11:36:49 EDT