For a national re-awakening

A barely discernible New Year's Eve sans fireworks and a rather muted New Year's Day celebrations are over. It is a fervent and deeply earnest collective wish that 2001 E.C. will be a better year and more in keeping with the profound way in which our nation ushered in the third millennium at midnight last September. Perhaps even, the somberness of the way this new year has been received may turn out to be wiser than the exalted euphoria then…
Closely on the heels of the historic occasion marking the re-erection of the returned Aksum obelisk, the final event of the millennial year, was the official unveiling and dedication of the Hedassie Bridge, across the Blue Nile gorge.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, on September 10, 2008, speaking from a podium astride the most advanced bridge to be constructed in Ethiopia, was keen to stress that the occasion was not merely (with due respect) the dedication of yet another infrastructural item but also a powerful motif of the nation's inherent desire to access the potential of the Blue Nile - Ethiopia's greatest asset, and one that is of immense strategic importance. The significance of the Blue Nile aside, at this point, we express our highest appreciation to the people and government of Japan, the Japan Development Cooperation Agency JICA and Kajima, project executioners, on such an elegant and supremely functional people to people gift.
The P.M. in his address delivered at the dedication ceremony of the 303 meter suspension bridge stressed the Ethiopic term - 'Hedassie' - (renaissance) as a most fitting appellation with which the bridge shall henceforth be called. According to specifics released, the structure has been built well enough to last for at least a century. In figurative terms, the Hedassie Bridge, will also stand as silent witness at the progress or lack thereof, made by the people who traverse its length, over the course of its long life span.
By extension, we can do well to look into ourselves, we the generational bridge between this underdeveloped Ethiopia and the prosperous one to come. We should, ask whether or not we are up to the challenge of a Hedassie - the reality of which itself is a matter of conjecture and wide open to interpretation. In the sum of the matter, it doesn't really matter whether or not Ethiopia is indeed in resurgent mode. What does matter is that in the final analysis it is up to the people to ignite such a renaissance. In short, even if it doesn't seem like it can be done, the collective will can make it so … after all, what is a renaissance if not the power of the body collective?
With that said, how many of our institutions and organs are up to the challenge? In response, we cite a few places to start this momentum.
To enter a state of national reawakening and in order to sustain it, Ethiopia must:
Invest in quality education, one which will remove the unwillingness of trained teachers from being posted to remote parts of the nation - a historic weakness that is also manifested in nearly all professions.
Create national consensus on all issues.
If not eradicate, then at least curb, the outlandishly high levels of corruption, institutionalized and other.
Enable the responsible private media to not only flourish but also to develop into willing partner with government, alongside public institutions and private organizations.
Exert efforts to illustrate the reality of a national awakening is occurring by real-life changes observable by especially the most disadvantaged segments of society.
It will take hard work, painful sacrifices and the necessary compromises, but the eventual gains will far outstrip the costs incurred in attaining that new Ethiopia.