Nadhi Gamada: Born in Ziway, south central Oromia, he studied pharmacy at Addis Ababa University. One of the most charismatic and beloved leaders of the OLF, Nadhi was detained in 1994 by the Ethiopian security forces with a tip from another prisoner who was forced to disclose his whereabouts from torture. A report attributed to Hassan Ali, the President of the Oromia regional government at the time, later alleged that Nadhi was executed at the spot--somewhere at the intersection of three provinces--Arsi, Shawa, and Western Hararghe. Little is heard from him or the authorities since. There was a report that he was held in Mekelle, capital of Tigray region. According to some other reports, he was still being held at the notorious Maikalawi central prison.The Unknowns:
The prisoners profiled above are but a few whose names are available publicly. Countless others remain imprisoned, whose sacrifices and names are known only to God. They are the real heroes, and unjustly incarcerated for exercising their inalienable rights – rights that are theoretically protected in the pages of Ethiopia’s constitution.
Runner-ups:
OPride operates under the belief that our people’s progress is best aided by celebrating the best in us rather than dwelling and brooding on our shortcomings. Our heroes are not flawless angels but rather men and women who err while striving to uplift the noble in us, all the while learning from their trials and tribulations, and putting to use their talents and energies to advance the common well-being of Oromos in a way they deem fit. Indeed, they are mortal souls who stumble and fall yet prevail by getting back up and moving relentlessly forward towards the true north –– for the political, economic, and social emancipation of their people.
Accordingly, the annual POY honor is bestowed on deserving Oromo individuals who make an outstanding contribution to the Oromo cause by demonstrating dedication, leadership, and commitment to the advancement, promotion, and development of Oromo culture, language, or politics during the last twelve months. As in previous years, OPride received many suggestions on such individuals in our communities.
Here’s a shortlist:
Obse Tadesse Lubo: Lubo was born in Najo, western Oromia, to uneducated parents. After emigrating to the U.S., Lubo studied nursing in Minnesota. She later moved to central California where she joined other good Samaritans to give the gift of improved health to those most in need back in her hometown of Najo. She makes annual medical trips. She has sent a full-cargo of medical supplies to the Najo hospital. She has inspired the formation of a local support group which mentors and coaches young students at Najo public schools to volunteer and give back to their society. This year, she accompanied three critically ill children to India for a lifesaving heart surgery. She then spent two weeks volunteering in Najo. Lubo’s selfless commitment is an inspiration to many, including OPride staff; if each of us could pay it forward, however small the initiative, the world would be a much better place.
Lencho Lata Waqayo: There is no one more controversial than Lata in Oromo politics.Trained in the U.S. as a chemical engineer, Lata is part of the generation that wrote the OLF political program. During the organization’s formative years, Lata was instrumental in articulating its visions and strategies. He is the sole survivor from the first OLF leadership installed in 1977. He served as the organization’s Deputy General Secretary until 1998.
Obse Tadesse Lubo: Lubo was born in Najo, western Oromia, to uneducated parents. After emigrating to the U.S., Lubo studied nursing in Minnesota. She later moved to central California where she joined other good Samaritans to give the gift of improved health to those most in need back in her hometown of Najo. She makes annual medical trips. She has sent a full-cargo of medical supplies to the Najo hospital. She has inspired the formation of a local support group which mentors and coaches young students at Najo public schools to volunteer and give back to their society. This year, she accompanied three critically ill children to India for a lifesaving heart surgery. She then spent two weeks volunteering in Najo. Lubo’s selfless commitment is an inspiration to many, including OPride staff; if each of us could pay it forward, however small the initiative, the world would be a much better place.
Lencho Lata Waqayo: There is no one more controversial than Lata in Oromo politics.Trained in the U.S. as a chemical engineer, Lata is part of the generation that wrote the OLF political program. During the organization’s formative years, Lata was instrumental in articulating its visions and strategies. He is the sole survivor from the first OLF leadership installed in 1977. He served as the organization’s Deputy General Secretary until 1998.
After serving as “advisor” to the OLF, Lata was dismissed from the organization earlier this year. His announcement last May of intentions to engage the Oromo by rearticulating the objectives and strategies of the Oromo struggle remained one of the major preoccupations for diaspora politicians. Lata, who had written two books on the subject, has been both praised and scrutinized in the past for his advocacy to democratize Ethiopia. While demonized by his detractors, Lata is seen as the most eminent Oromo leader.
Over the last decade, Lata’s person, service, and motives were subjects of relentless, malicious, and unwarranted attacks. A true original, Lata’s intellect, eloquence, resilience, and sense of humor are unequaled. Listening to him, one comes home after taking a glimpse, even if a fading one, into the greatness that was OLF, a greatness that is being corroded under the weight of incivility, false posturing, mediocrity, ineptitude, and senselessness. Observers say Lata’s Oromo Dialogue Forum may soon transform into a political movement. For reawakening quiescent Oromo diaspora politics and even indirectly pressuring two rival OLF factions to unite, Lata is OPride’s runner up for Person of the Year 2012.
Gudata Sado Hinika: Dr. Hinika’s remarkable journey is full of surprises. Hinika came to the U.S. narrowly escaping a required military service under the Dergue. He then put himself first through community college, and later medical school to become one of the most successful trauma surgeons in southern California. That’s not all. He too never forgot a dream that was seared into his mind at a young age: seek light beyond the sea but don’t forget where you came from. His philanthropy has already put many Oromo students through school. He has built elementary, junior, and secondary schools in his former village of Gode.
Gudata Sado Hinika: Dr. Hinika’s remarkable journey is full of surprises. Hinika came to the U.S. narrowly escaping a required military service under the Dergue. He then put himself first through community college, and later medical school to become one of the most successful trauma surgeons in southern California. That’s not all. He too never forgot a dream that was seared into his mind at a young age: seek light beyond the sea but don’t forget where you came from. His philanthropy has already put many Oromo students through school. He has built elementary, junior, and secondary schools in his former village of Gode.
Hinika is now building a medical school and hospital – the first of its kind - in south-central Oromia. Earlier this year, the UN Association of USA honored Hinika with the Global Citizen Award for “establishing sustainable healthcare and education systems in rural Ethiopia.” His
inspiring
journey from rural Oromia to southern Los Angeles is poignantly captured, much better than we could write here, in his recently published memoir: The Healers Light. We encourage you to purchase and read his book: http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/horn-of-africa/3628Jawar Siraj Mohammed: The Ethiopian Muslims movement took many by surprise. Ethiopia’s restive Muslim population has never before articulated their grievances in such a well coordinated manner. The government, aided by the terror-mongering western media, went to great pains to portray the basic demands of religious freedom as extremism, signaling the advent of the menace of political Islam in a "friendly" country. If the committee of 17 were the voice of Ethiopian Muslim protesters inside the country, Jawar was that voice from the outside. For keeping abreast with the movement for nearly a year, promoting, and analyzing with flair, sometimes in real-time, Jawar is OPride’s runner-up for Person of the Year.
Happy Holidays from OPride.com and its staff!
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