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Let’s sometimes be thankful for some closed doors...

2011-12-11T22:51:03Z

Once in awhile I strike conversations with people who tell me that so and so have closed doors against them, denied them of opportunities, and delayed of their promotions. I sympathize with these kinds of people. And yes it hurts. Note that, since I relate to their circumstances, I don’t judge them for their frustrations and bitterness.

Of course, we should sometimes take responsibilities and admit that some of such unfortunate happenings might be our own makings. In such cases, we should work on ourselves; avoid blaming others for our shortcomings.

But there are apparent denials and you know it that they are unfair, biased, and unjust. Even in such cases, what should we do? Complain, complain, curse, and become bitter, what have you; or should we believe in our God whom we trust, the one who makes sure everything works in our favor? Should we stay in that depressive state for so long and stop believing any more or should we move on while smiling to knock another door and seek another opportunity for growth? We have choices. What do you choose?

Think about Jesus, the ultimate leader… Pilate thought that he was the one who could open or close the door of life for or against Jesus. He even told Jesus that he could let him go without facing crucifixion, regardless of the cry of his accusers. Look at Jesus’ attitude. He didn’t agree with Pilate’s assessment. He replied and said to Pilate that he didn’t have any control except given by his Father from Heaven. Mind you, if Pilate released Jesus, Jesus might have lived another forty or fifty years on earth. But this opened door of opportunity to save his years on earth would have come with incalculable lost of glory. Since he undermined the proposed opportunity, he remains an eternal king of kings. Since he declined to pass through the wrong door, we have Christianity and restoration into our former glory through Jesus’ redemptive work. Let’s learn from Jesus on how to deal with setbacks, crises, and denials.

That means, when they close doors against you, when they delay your promotions, and deny you of opportunities, they may be given authority to do so because those doors, opportunities, and promotions might be gateways towards dead-ends. They might be premature chances, and traps that might have distracted you from pursuing the right direction that would finally lead you to your success and glory. Thus, let’s be thankful for some closed doors, missed opportunities, and delayed promotions. And move on…

Video- Purpose-Oriented Living

2011-11-29T16:35:56Z

On November 20, 2011, I was invited to teach about Purpose-Oriented Living in a Philadelphia church. Below are the five parts videos:

Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HajLklzM_Wo

Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfNbDq33QC4&feature=related

Part III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47W8YeedCrI&feature=related

Part IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpxywT8gzG8&feature=related

Part V: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY-MaM8Ifx4&feature=related

...

The days of dictators are numbered

2011-11-28T15:39:09Z

One of the frustrating things about fighting dictatorship is the support they enjoy from regional organizations. Before Muammar Gaddafi was ousted, shamefully, the African Union had lent its hand to prolong the miserable rule of one of the worst dictators in the world. Ignoring the voice of the majority, the organization was after saving the walking dead dictator.

On the other hand, for the first-time, on Sunday Nov 27, 2011, the Arab League voted to sanction Syria in response to the brutal oppression of al-Assad's regime against Syrians. Great step by the regional organization: Arab League. This decision by the Arab League is a signal that we may have a future without dictators. The days of dictators are numbered.

Here is an excerpt from 'Redefining Leadership', Conclusion, page 234: “Even today, we have leaders, who are charismatic, influential, and oratory, but neither do they are leading themselves towards their own fulfillment nor helping others to claim their leadership birthright and achieve their fulfillment. Sadly, there are still community and religious leaders who are lording on their people and exploiting them. Worst, there are the so called national leaders who are sitting on their own people for decades and even baptizing their own people in their own blood. These individuals aren’t true leaders as we discussed it in this book. They are abusing the true meaning of leadership and misusing their birthright for wrong reasons. The 21^st C generation should refrain from duplicating the same mistake these individuals have made. This is time to redefine leadership, eradicate sickening, and parasitic leadership as we eradicated small pox, render pest, etc.”

Other regional organizations such as AU, ECOWAS, etc should follow suit and show solidarity with the people than the dictators who kill, embezzle, and torment their own people. Let's make the 21st C free of dictatorship. It is possible, it can be done...

Video: Explaining the main points of the new book

2011-11-26T16:26:17Z

Here are the links to watch the video where I discussed the main points of my new book entitled "Redefining Leadership: Navigating the Path from Birthright to Fulfillment in Life!". The video was recorded during the second year anniversary of PRO Leadership on Oct 22, 2011 at Marriott Hotel at Maryland University.

Enjoy watching

Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3czLA22Fv0

Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q01lzfeYcLg

...

Ethiopian churches in the West failing the Kingdom

2011-11-26T01:07:00Z

I think that Ethiopian churches in the West failing the Kingdom. Here is the video where I discussed about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoIgzwwBXLU ...

Highlights videos from Philadelphia events

2011-11-26T00:44:11Z

Here is the video highlights for Philadelphia Church's events on November 20, 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a-yrLHA8rw

AœĈ ...

Video: Congratulations to Pastor Woubshet of Philadelphia Church

2011-11-26T00:20:05Z

I was invited to teach about Purpose Oriented Living in Philadelphia on Nov 20, 2011. Here is the video where I congradulated the senior Pastor Woubshet Humaso for completing PRO Leadership's Bronze Mentoring Program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3h1WwIbZUA

Life transforming events at New Life Church in Philadelphia

2011-11-14T16:06:03Z

The New Life Assembly of God Church in Philadelphia has arranged a life transforming events on Sunday November 20, 2011. The charismatic, purpose-oriented, and visionary leader of this church, Pastor Woubshet Humaso, invited me to teach on Purpose-oriented living in the morning, and facilitate a workshop on Leadership attributes in the afternoon. I am excited and grateful for this opportunity.

While the world is in chaos and the future is uncertain, there is no better way of living your life by finding and pursuing the purpose of your life. Look around us, and ask people, and we will be surprised to learn that very few individuals are certain about who they are and the purpose of their life. What is more, those few who know about these important quests in life aren’t artful in pursuing a purpose-oriented living by aligning the various aspects of their life around their purpose. Sadly, the majority of us are living one day at a time and by flowing with the crowd.

I have lived or at least tried for the past more than 15 years to live a purpose-oriented life. My life may not be perfect and far from where it's supposed to be but I can tell you the kind of peace, contentment, focus, and direction this kind of lifestyle brings in your life. Of course, there is no formula that I can provide to you. I also know that living this kind of life in the world that doesn’t promote this sort of lifestyle is hard, to say the least. However, there is hope, and that is why we arranged this session. By sharing my own experiences as I have strived to lead a purpose-oriented living, and also using stories from the bible and other literatures, I cannot wait to teach (and also refresh myself in the process) on this exciting topic...

For that matter, we have been preached about prayer, worship, giving, and forgiving, and so on. Let’s also talk, at least once in awhile, serious stuff like responding for our call in life. Each and every one of us are called to lead our purpose. Our fulfillment in life both here on earth and in eternity is determined on our commitment for the very reason we were created, designed, and released from eternity to time in this particular time, space, and generation. Jesus, Paul, Simeon, and many pursued their purpose and be able to say it is finished, am done, now dismiss me…There is no place so sweet than the right place where the Lord wants us to be. It is the place of our success, glory, peace, rest, and fulfillment…

In the afternoon, we are going to have a workshop. If you are a prospect leader (youth, parent, professional, etc), or visionary business person, minister, pastor, civil servant, you name it, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity. Based on Part V of my newly released book entitled Redefining Leadership, we are going to discuss the nine leadership attributes. These attributes in the leadership continuum are Self-awake, Visionary, Committed, Strategist, Communicator, Team-player, Persistent, Character-builder, and Lifelong-learner. We shouldn’t just lead by zeal and mere passion. We equip ourselves to lead in this challenging and competitive century. If you desire to take your leadership to the next level, this is your time.

On top of these, we have also a book signing moment where you can ask questions and also get authograph.

Those of you who are around Philadelphia, you shouldn’t miss this chance. It is going to be life transforming.

Address: 7766 Wayne Ave. Upper Darby PA 19082
For more info: 267-528-4014

See you there!

The new century demands reforms and new ideologies

2011-11-03T15:49:36Z

We have revolts in the Arab World and here in the US- Occupy Wall Street. Here is what I wrote in my new book Redefining Leadership, Part IV, Page 174, Subtitle: ‘The new century demands reforms and new ideologies’: “If changes are not in place soon, many countries will experience more revolutions and revolts. We have already seen revolts in the Arab World where individuals have been denied of their individual rights for so many years. What was the outcome of this deprivation of right? Wasn’t it a kind of expanded wide ranging revolution, it was. Not only in the Arab World, as we launch ourselves deep into the new era expect this, in those social fabrics where there is big gap between the have and haven’t, the conflict between classes, and so on may lead to unpredictable revolutions with unwanted consequences.

The most viable solution to avoid ongoing and pending social revolutions is letting individuals lead their uniqueness towards fulfillment. Those who are on top today should sense the coming season and make changes that allow each citizen to pursue their unique destiny while working together for a common destiny. Nations, parties, and communities should create room in their political system and ideologies that allow individuals to seek their uniqueness while still having common goals towards the survival and progress of their respective community and nation.”

Book Signing, Highland Coffee, Silver Spring MD

2011-10-30T02:13:06Z

On Sunday Nov 13, 2011, we will have a book signing ceremony at Highland Coffee, downtown Silver Spring MD.

The event is simple. You may show up between 3 - 6 PM, purchase your copy of the new book entitled "Redefining Leadership". If you are interested, you can ask the author questions and get authographs. You can do these all while enjoying the delicious products of Highland Coffee including their coffee and cakes...

For further info, you may call or email the author using the contact info on the flyer.

See you there!

Video highlights from PRO Leadership's 2nd year anniversary

2011-10-26T18:20:35Z

Check the following link to watch video highlights from PRO Leadership's second year anniversary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--nGqlVEnBc

PRO Leadership celebrated its second year anniversary

2011-10-26T13:54:14Z

PRO Leadership celebrated its second year anniversary on Oct 22, 2011 at Marriott Hotel at Maryland University. You may check this link to read the brief report: http://www.proleadership.org/hot-news-1/reportsecondyearanniversarycelebration

My new book: Redefining Leadership

2011-10-26T13:23:13Z

I have published a book entitled "Redefining Leadership: Navigating the Path from Birthright to Fulfillment in Life!". To read some of the contents of the book, check this link: http://www.successpws.com/books

Book review: Regional Security in West Africa: Building a Regional Security Architecture under ECOWAS in the Post-Cold War Era

2011-03-20T22:49:00Z

Though several regional organizations in Africa were formed following the post-colonial era, their contributions towards regional economic and political integration have been minimal. Their importance in this regard had been insignificant both regionally and internationally until recently. Evidently, this decline has had direct consequences against regional organizations, which had been in hibernation state for the last few decades. However, during the long period of inactive role in the economic and politico-security landscape, the period offered exceptional opportunities to ECOWAS, which managed to survive the Cold War period and laid down frameworks for greater cooperation and integration among its member states. ECOWAS's revival is impressive, as the author notes, considering the Anglophone-francophone division that affected the possibility of socio-economic and political integration in the region.

Chalachew's book "Regional Security in West Africa: Building a Regional Security Architecture under ECOWAS in the Post-Cold War Era" revisited the historical evolution of ECOWAS as an economic integration organization and how its ad hoc security architecture has been reconfigured to meet the politico-security challenges of member states in the post-Cold War era. The author has attempted to show the difficult roads that ECOWAS travelled in the early 1990s in the absence of a security dimension in its founding charter in the mid-1970s. In the face of the international community's disengagement from Africa and the decline of West Africa as a ground for competition for geopolitical interests of major powers, and the changing nature of conflicts from inter-state to that of intra-state, ECOWAS found itself that it had to take matters into its own hands, thereby paving the road for the popular motto of "African solutions for African problems." By critically evaluating the performances of ECOWAS in the security arena, the author has demonstrated the relevance of regional organizations to deal with intra-state conflicts, which could also have regional dimensions.

The book also sheds light on the expansion of ECOWAS's mandate and scope so as to link security, development, and democracy. It analyzes how the security of the region has been intimately related to the lack of good governance, democracy and the prevalence of underdevelopment in the region. And it gives much emphasis to ECOWAS's determination to emerge as a pioneer organization to kick start a holistic approach to the region's problems. It has depicted the significant shift ECOWAS made from the previously military-oriented approach to a new and multidimensional meaning of security that includes conflict prevention, management, resolution and peacekeeping. The book has also emphasized ECOWAS's venture on the adoption of protocols on good governance, democracy and control of flow of arms. By so doing, as the author rightly explained, ECOWAS has established a security regime characterized by not only physical military structures but also certain common norms and practices.

And the book has presented a fair evaluation of the performance of ECOWAS in dealing with security issues (peacekeeping and peace enforcement), which could have detrimental effects on its economic agenda (as states often and naturally are against intervention in their internal affairs) for the time being, although ultimately security became a core component of economic integration. ECOWAS's active military/security role in West African conflicts ignited some momentum, and increased the importance of regional bodies in security arena. The author underscores that ECOWAS has become the leading security actor in initiating a new wave of regionalism, which could well become an alternative to the UN approaches in tackling conflicts across the world that have been highly criticized for its sluggishness and ineffectiveness.

The book detailed the challenges ECOWAS has faced as its mandate and priority shifted, and stepped into previously uncharted waters of conflict management and peace enforcement. Lack of resources, lack of well-organized and sustainable partnership with major powers, lack of formal and clear division of labor with the African Union and the UN, lack of democracy and socio-economic development within the region, absence of focus on conflict prevention, etc have continued to challenge it. Yet, as the author rightly states, its relevance to the region's security challenge in the post-Cold War era is beyond question. The author took ample time to address those challenges that are still imminent to deter the progress of ECOWAS and achieve its multifaceted mandates. The book also identified and put in context the available opportunities considering those changes that are happening both at local, regional, and global levels. The book also provided the future prospects of ECOWAS as a security actor in the security arena.

This book may interest political science and history students, who have interest in studying regional security issues in West Africa in particular and Africa's affairs at large. It may also interest policy makers and analysts at national, regional, and international level. It is a well researched and articulated book. I really encourage you to read and learn lots of stuff about the importance regional approach to security problems (which has become a growing area of study) and the pioneering experiment that ECOWAS has launched in the post-Cold War era.

Note: You can find the book from Amazon...

New wave is blowing accross the Arab World: The writing on the wall!

2011-02-12T16:53:00Z

The world has been witnessing two successful disobediences in recent history. What we are observing is a new wave of democratization blowing across the Arab World and sure will continue to other regions. However, these achievements by themselves are not enough. Democracy has phases and Tunisians and Egyptians are just in the beginning and infant stage of democracy, and long way to go. They should build democratic institutions, and keep themselves active and proactive in the political process of their countries to secure the democracy and inherit a better future for generations to come.

That being said, what are the lessons from these recent revolts? Not just for the general public and particularly to the youth but also to other similar regimes, and other players such as the US, EU, and Multinational Institutions? Let me just drop a couple of signs similar regimes should note:

They should carefully read the writing on the wall before it is too late! Mubarak was appearing in control and denied himself of so many opportunities and ignored calls from around the world. He could have stepped down if he read the writing on the wall but he failed miserably. His counterparts around the world begged him to consider his legacy and respond the request of the people genuinely. Just a couple of hours ago, he had the mic and the opportunity to acknowledge the writing on the wall but he spoiled it. He tried to hang on till the last minutes. Rather than humbling himself and quit with dignity, he was not even there to say bye. He left like a thief. By the way, our past leaders had the same problem; they couldn’t read the writing on the wall and they departed regrettably, to say the least. Think about the opportunities Haile Sellasie and Mengistu missed? We would have been in a better position as a nation than where we are right now. Unfortunately, am not sure whether the contemporary leaders learn from history or recent happenings from a couple of thousands of miles away from the Capital.
They should understand that the need and aspiration of the 21st C generation is totally different than the past century. It takes change in the style and approach of leaders if they desire to lead and remain relevant to the contemporary generation. Trying to play games, manipulations, and intimidations, and the use of power and media may work to scare but few and for awhile. A regime from any corner cannot scare and fend off a generation and the righteous wind. Maybe in the past and in the 60’s, 70’s and even in the early first century. The new breed demands respect, transparency, and responsiveness, and liberty. Mubarak and his team were out of touch about the movement and tried to stop a movement using the old tricks of killing, jailing, and intimidating here and there. The 21st C generation needs leaders who serve its aspiration, desire, and needs more than bread and pay checks. The old days are gone!
They should read that the global system has changed and starts to stop harboring misdeeds of corrupt leaders. In the past, there were so many factors that favored authoritarian and autocratic leadership to robe their own people. A few elites could be able to amass wealth, abuse power, and use that to suppress the mass. Millions starve while few wash themselves with luxury and store money they won’t live to enjoy- what a greed!? Now, it seems, though in its infancy, the rule of the game is changing before the contemporary leaders get used to it. Corruption is taken as one of the worst enemy of the world wherever it appears. It is the source of all ills we experience around the world. The Swiss Bank immediately freezed the assets of Mubarak. In two separate occasions, Attorney General of the most powerful country in the world the US- Eric Holder and one of the influential nations in Europe Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany denounced greedy politicians and vowed to take measures that include freezing their assets.
They should sense that there is a growing sense of unity and collaboration at the global stage and among world citizens where the new cyber-generation understood that one nation or continent cannot remain heaven while the rest of the world is in hell. We start to understand slowly but surely that our destiny as humans is highly tied up. Poverty, terrorism, disease, dictatorship, environmental degradation, corruption in one corner of the world definitely affects communities and nations in another corner. There is no safe heaven insulted from what is happening in the rest of the world. That is why the new breed started to expose the wrong doings of politicians on the cyber space and there seems determination to fight wrong doings wherever they show up. It looks like there is no hiding place as the world is further becoming one and united through globalization and Internet. Media are now exposing crimes and atrocities to the world that pressurize powerful nations’ leaders to act and side with the mass. That was the role of the social media and Al Jazeera in the peaceful and successful revolt in Egypt. The rule of the game is changed and the fight against the above troubles in one corner and in one country gets attention by the new global citizens.
And more…

The recent new developments should also draw the attention of major players in the world of politics. They should discern the coming of new wave and partner with the new generation than destine themselves with the withering few leaders who don’t have any more political and moral leverage (though they may have gun power) to mobilize their own people and achieve anything significant in tackling the challenge the 21st C posed against humanity. They should read the signs and the season. The more they quickly side with the winners, the better the outcome. There should also be a big foreign policy shift by many Western nations towards corrupt and authoritarian leaders that should align with what is going on now and what will happen in the near future…

Is the action of wikiLeaks taking down with it the progress of Internet and media freedom?

2010-12-16T16:42:00Z

This morning, the founder of WikiLeaks Julian Assange, was set to be released from jail on bail following the decision of High Court justice Duncan Ouseley. I am now a little bit relieved that Assange is temporarily free. To be frank, I was worried about for so many things. First, I worried about the safety of Assange and sympathize his families thinking of what they have been going through.

His courageous actions risked himself, the organization, his families, and other professional diplomats and operatives whose jobs and lives are now in danger. Am sure, I am not the only one anxious for all parties affected. However, how many of us are worried about the future prospect of Internet and media freedom following these unprecedented online leaks? Am worried and that is why I am writing this article with the risk of angering some people.

It looks like the world is divided into supporting and opposing wikiLeaks. There are, however, many people like me who are torn between supporting and opposing the actions of wikiLeaks. Supporting because I believe in freedom of speech regardless of whether I am totally for or against its contents; opposing because I found this uncensored (note that I am not totally against posting leaks) release of diplomatic cables risky, especially for those individuals whose lives are at stake if we ignore the costs against national security and interest of some ‘unsuspecting’ countries.

Let me be honest, maybe wrong, am skeptical about the ultimate benefits of this kind of endeavors. It looks like to me against human nature. Almost all of us have said, done, or wrote things that we all aren’t proud of and uncomfortable, especially if they are exposed online. There is time tested wisdom: Don’t do things you don’t want others to do onto you. Am not saying that we shouldn’t be held accountable if what we have done, said, and wrote are unlawful and illegal. No doubt, most of the diplomats were doing things that are lawful, at least, within the legal framework of their country and department. They tried to communicate their feelings and intentions with some liberty thinking that the system protects their ‘outpouring’- think about those funny ones.

Likewise, all of us done, wrote, and said things we thought back then right or we were helpless or what have you. If you are like me, I am okay to own all of my past actions, wordings (both good and bad), and if am at gun point, I will discuss those bad ones in public but otherwise, I don’t feel comfortable to see them posted on the Internet and people discuss about them without me having no chance to explain. Think about those ‘secretive’ things you didn’t have hand in their making or no control at all, published online. Well, you may say, get over it. You and I may not have something that cost our job or life if they are published online but the job descriptions of some people does. And how about we all understand one another and live harmoniously than playing the game I got you, I got you… and indefinitely…Mark Twain said, "Every man is a Moon, with a dark side he never shows to anyone". Every government and individual has ‘private’ secretes and what is the use of exposing one another? Who is without secret and the winner of this game, and how long can we tolerate and endure it running?

I am sure that these leaks or future ones cannot affect how diplomacy works except that now diplomats know how to handle their secretes. Other than that the way diplomats lobby or pressure to defend or promote their countries interest continues. These being said, I am not here judging Assange or his organization. That is their business and they are accountable of what they are doing. I remain respectful of their decision as I want people to respect my decisions regardless of their consequences against me. For that matter, if you are like me and never had a chance to appreciate how diplomacy works, they gave us the glimpse of how things are running within the diplomatic circle. Other than that, I pray that Assange uses this crisis as an opportunity to revisit the scope of his organization’s mission, to determine which ones to release which one not; just a suggestion (even if it is unlikely that someone from wikiLeak has the time or interest to read the writings of a …..).

Reading the above three paragraphs, you may be thinking that I am against freedom of speech, media, and so on. Don’t get me wrong. I believe in making governments accountable and I tried my best beyond mere lip service. I risked myself and burdened my families and friends when I became student leader of the most politically sensitive student union in my country, and central committee and vice-chairman of research department of an opposition party, both of which could have led to murder, imprisonment, or at least black mailing J lol

Please forget my personal principles and sympathy for privacy and decency (or call it hypocrisy or whatever it fits in your opinion) I expressed in the above couple of paragraphs. My main concern to write this article is the impact of these leaks against the progress of Internet and media freedom. If you have been following closely, some countries curtailed the progress of Internet access to their people or at least censored the kind of information their citizen get. Now, after wikiLeaks bold but reckless release of diplomatic cables, am not sure how countries like the US, which have been pro Internet and media freedom would react. The future prospect of Internet and media freedom is also at risk, on top of jobs and lives of many!

By the way, when I just read the release of Assange, I thanked God and with some sense of relief I came out to write this article without much thinking or processing my thoughts. Though I know there is a long way to go, am happy for now. When I just read his release, I felt that there is still hope that his actions may not lead into outrageous and far reaching revenges from the civilized and democratic world against Internet access and media freedom.

Now, he is at least free to see his families and walk around but what about the future prospect of Internet and media freedom in this information age? Is Internet make out of this and continue to thrive? Or are we just entered into a perilous future prospect for this great technology-Internet? Can it survives and continues to benefit this and generations to come? My prayer continue and hope that things would eventually calm down and nothing bad won’t happen against Assange, the progress of Internet, and media freedom.

Sami is gone with his humility, without warning!

2010-12-04T15:55:00Z

Humility is a very controversial issue. Many of us experience it for awhile and mostly when we are down; it is called ‘forced humility’. Very few like Sami demonstrate humility regardless of where they are and who they have become. Most importantly, very few like Sami show humility consistently in the extent of walking and living it on daily basis. Thus far, I have met very few who endowed with this great attribute.

What is humility while someone doesn’t have anything to be proud of and show off? Humility is about restraining oneself from failing to relate with others, especially with those who aren’t in his ‘class’. Of course, there is no litmus paper to test who has and who don’t, but like beauty; you know it when you see unadulterated humility.

Sami was humble when I first met him and before I had got chances to know how genius he was. Later, I came to know him as a born-genius by his own right. Throughout our campus life, he produced results without much effort and that impressed me a lot. While he had all kinds of excuses and reasons to create cloud of ‘super-man’ persona, Sami was always light and approachable. His natural ingenuity never prevented him from relating and be friendly with those of us who weren’t in his ‘class’. Besides, he was very helpful and goes far to help others. How can I forget as far as I live his help in making copies of notes for me while I was frequently away because of my responsibility as student leader of AAU?! I owe you Sami, my dear!!

Coming to my point about Sami’s consistency in his humility, true be told, I couldn’t trace how many times I had changed my personality during my stay at AAU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, let alone what had been going on with my moods and behaviors afterwards and throughout my life. So many acrobats and u-turns LOL Please keep this confession for your-self, confidential. However, that isn’t true about Sami, at least, as far as I know. Ready to get updates from those of you who were close to him while he was out of my radar? Nevertheless, I doubt if he changed much. He was consistent in his personality- humble, friendly, and helpful.

Any ways, we got graduated and every one of us pursued different paths. Afterwards, once in awhile, I met Sami a couple of times (I truly regret about my failure to spend ample time with Sami; those opportunities were missed for once and for all; life-time lesson). During those encounters, he was as he was and where I left him in terms of his humble personality and the care he demonstrates towards others.

Later, not sure the year but Sami went to pursue his Master’s in Europe. While he was there, I had a privilege to exchange emails with him. I remember once he was sharing with me how cold it was for him and oh how I unleashed and bombarded on him my usual ‘pep-talk’ (my trade mark LOL) by saying 'be strong and be patient my friend, you can withstand it', bla bla... Well, I am not like Sami, have serious trouble to easily relate with other people’s pain, challenge, and this is my damn weakness; hope, Sami had forgiven me. Since I came to the States, I have understood what cold feels, especially during winter. Any ways, I never heard from him since that time until I got a shocking email of his premature passing from one of our friends.

I couldn’t believe it and still cannot. By nature, I don’t cry (unhealthy, yah?). I remember seriously crying only a couple of times before that. These from the bottom of my heart cries were when my dad and some of my friends prematurly died. And these were long time ago.

My cry for Sami was both out of love because Sami should never died prematurely. He was, truly, special not just for me but I am sure for anyone who came in contact with him. I was also full of guilt because I knew I was crazily busy and didn’t spend enough time with him when I had the chance as we had used to before I became crazily busy due to my commitment as a student leader and afterwards due to my obsessive career ambition. I guess this is a syndrome of many of us. We don’t appreciate and treat loved once while they are alive and we cry like this, as I do it now, after it is all but too late. Unfortunate!

During those days, following that uneventful email, I waited so many times and hoped someone would email me that that bad news was just fake and rumor. It wasn’t April; otherwise, I would have thought it was April fool’s day. Let me stop my memorial article to a dear friend. The pain remains so sharp for all of us who loved Sami because he never showed any sign of he was leaving. I was told he wasn’t sick. Well, Sami is now gone with his consistent humility, without warning us!

Sami, we miss you!

Sami, far right; myself second from left. It was in July 2000 when we were graduated from FVM @ AAU.

Interview with German Radio (DW) Amharic service

2010-10-29T17:26:00Z

Following PRO Leadership's one-year anniversary on Oct 23rd 2010, journalist Abebe Feleke from DW (German Radio) Amharic service interviewed me and two partners of PRO Leadership on Monday Oct 25 2010. Click here to listen the archieve (You may find the news segment between 24 - 28 min). From this news segment, you may listen Abebe's briefs about PRO Leadership and testimonials of two partners- Rise & Shine and My Love In Action.

I was informed that the archieve may stay online only for five days...

PRO Leadership's one-year anniversary

2010-10-19T16:07:00Z

Leadership lessons from Jesus as change agent

2010-06-26T15:22:00Z

This paper examines Matt 21: 1 – 17 and draws lessons from Jesus’ leadership as change agent. Using intertexture, the essay analyzes the representation of the four inter-texts outside of this text. The text was divided into three pieces for the sake of simplicity. Following the exegetical analysis on the inter-texts, the paper presents the three main leadership applications: Know the time to implement your vision; identify and confront corrupt systems boldly, and serve your followers like Jesus.

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