Abuja: Ethiopia Embassy Marks 130th Anniversary of Adwa’s Victory, Celebrate International Women’s Day
By Editor
The Embassy of Ethiopia in Abuja-Nigeria hosted a vibrant dual celebration on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to mark the 130th anniversary of the historic Battle of Adwa and International Women’s Day.
Held under the themes “Adwa 130: From a Dark History to a Bright Horizon!” and “50 Years of Women’s Voice for Equality and Prosperity,” the event brought together members of the Ethiopian community in Abuja, Ethiopians of Ethiopian origin living in Nigeria, as well as Nigerian friends and supporters of Ethiopia.
The keynote address was delivered by Legesse Geremew Haile, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Nigeria. In his remarks, the ambassador described the Victory of Adwa as a monumental triumph achieved through the unity and sacrifices of the Ethiopian people.
He highlighted the significant role women played in the historic victory and noted ongoing efforts by the Ethiopian government to strengthen gender equality and promote women’s participation in leadership. According to him, Ethiopian women today occupy key positions in government, with growing representation in parliament, the cabinet, and both federal and regional institutions.
Ambassador Haile also encouraged young Ethiopians to embody the “Spirit of Adwa” by protecting national interests and supporting development initiatives underway in Ethiopia. He outlined several ongoing national programmes, including modernization of the agricultural sector to boost productivity—an effort that has helped Ethiopia emerge as Africa’s largest wheat producer in recent years.
He further cited progress in industrialisation through the “Ethiopia Tamirt” (Produce Ethiopia) initiative, tourism development through the Gebeta projects, and digital transformation driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence to improve service delivery.
The ambassador called on the Ethiopian diaspora to play a stronger role in supporting these development efforts and national projects.
Addressing Ethiopia’s strategic economic goals, he also urged unified support for the country’s quest for peaceful access to the sea, describing it as a vital national interest for a nation of more than 130 million people with a rapidly expanding economy. He stressed that Ethiopia seeks to secure such access through diplomatic engagement and mutually beneficial solutions.
Ambassador Haile reaffirmed Ethiopia’s long-term vision of becoming one of Africa’s five strongest economies by 2035 and one of the world’s top 20 economies by 2050. He encouraged members of the diaspora to actively participate in government development programmes and major projects aimed at achieving this ambition.
The event also featured a presentation titled “The Trust of Adwa: Unity, Sovereignty, and Reconstruction.” The presentation highlighted the historical significance of the victory achieved on March 1, 1896, when Ethiopian forces defeated invading Italian troops, marking one of the most celebrated anti-colonial victories in African history.
Speakers noted that the triumph became a symbol of African pride and resistance, inspiring the growth of Pan-Africanism and anti-colonial movements across the continent and among people of African descent worldwide.
Participants also emphasized that the Victory of Adwa represents a shared African heritage and a reminder that unity, courage, and determination remain essential for rebuilding nations and strengthening the continent.
Core Reporters report that the celebration featured patriotic poetry and educational video presentations by young children.
