ETHIOPIA & PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR
9169 OU34 - Ethiopia -- Graduation
The highlight of the MBA programme in Ethiopia was to be the graduation ceremony. To my surprise I discovered that, despite the problems with the awarding of the honorary doctorate to Meles, my own participation was to be of higher status than I expected. I was to be on the platform reading out the names of the students and presenting them to the Vice-Chancellor; who would then hand them their MBA. This was the task normally reserved for pro-vice-chancellors so I guess it was the height of my achievements in the University.
When we arrived at the suite in the government building, where the ceremony was to be undertaken, there was already quite a large crowd of people. Unusually for such ceremonies, the students were sitting with their families, who then actively participated in the events; by hugging the graduates as they came back from receiving their qualification. It was much more informal than we were used to, but much better for that. There were also the Ethiopian news teams, including television.
Before the ceremony, however, we all met with the students; who I had not seen for six months. It was quite an emotional moment. My fondest memory, however, was - while talking to the president, Meles - realising that the OU Vice Chancellor was by my elbow. I turned round and said "Vice-Chancellor can I introduce you to the President". It is one of the joys of such an occasion. As I, said it was very informal, with the relatives even cheering at times -- very different to the British graduation ceremony.
On the other hand, I was used to enjoy attending the British ceremonies, and sitting on stage with the few other academics who deigned to turn up. I found it a very emotional occasion, because you faced 1,000 or more relatives who were seeing their loved ones being given their degrees; after anything up to a decade of hard work. It made you realise just how much effort had gone into the earning those degrees. I must admit I found it quite emotional and was close to tears at times.
After the Ethiopian ceremony, in the evening, we had dinner with Ethiopia government students in the entertainment complex in the grounds of the old palace. I can't say that the food was anything to write home about, but the company was superb. I didn't sit with Meles, David Asch took that role for himself -- and Meles left fairly early. Instead I sat with Seeye and Tamrat; and we talked on well into the small hours of the morning. The staff even tried to shut the place down and throw us out, but you don't do that to leading members of government. It was superb conversation, in which we were joined by Jane Henry and Peter Stratfold. We debated the future of Ethiopia and - aided by copious amounts of alcohol - the discussion ranged widely over the future.
The following morning we flew out of Ethiopia. This time I was with the OU party. The Vice-Chancellor flew off to somewhere else in the Middle East. Incidentally, a nice story I then heard was that the OU staff flying to Ethiopia had been put in business class, as we usually were. David and his friend, from amongst all the other academics, had managed to get themselves bumped up to first-class. When they all got on the plane, however, it turned out that the VC and his wife were travelling tourist class! After frantic manoeuvring David managed to get them bumped up to business class -- but it was very embarrassing for all involved.
Last time I saw Seeye was when he and the technical director of Ethiopian Airlines - came across to London for the Farnborough air display. We all wanted to meet him, so I arranged dinner for them and all the tutors at a very British restaurant on the Strand. It was a great meal. The food was good, and the conversation was excellent.
Even so, the best part happened afterwards. Almost everyone else left to catch trains home. However, Seeye wanted to walk around London; so Jane Henry, Peter Stratfold and myself took him on a walking tour. In particular he wanted to see LSE since he had always wanted to study there. We wandered through the narrow streets, with not much to see, but he was very happy with the tour. We ended up on Waterloo Bridge, looking at the lights reflected in the water. It was a lovely balmy September evening with hardly a cloud in the sky to disturb the beautiful sunset.
Seeye nostalgically told us about his memories. The week before he had visited the bar in Eritrea where he had his last drink before joining the rebel army. What amazed me most, though, was one obviously heartfelt quote. He said I will remember this evening for the rest of my life. I was taken aback by what I thought must have been hyperbole, so I asked him why this was the case. His reply was simple This is the first time in a couple of decades I have wandered through the streets of a city with just a couple of friends for company; and no guards to protect me! I suddenly realised just how isolating, and lonely, could be the position as a head of state!
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