1959 SPEECHES OF H.I.M

COMMISSIONING NAVAL OFFICERS

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COMMISSIONING NAVAL OFFICERS

.....And today, another major step is being taken along the path which InI have marked out for InI beloved country in bridging the gap between the isolation in which Ithiopia lived for so many years and the modern world.

Today, as InI participate in the first graduation exercises at the Imperial Naval College, InI return in memory to that day just over six years ago when Eritrea was federated with Ithiopia and this seacoast on the Red Sea, so long separated from InI Empire was reunited with its motherland. InI heart and that of the entire Ithiopian nation overflowed with joy on that day. It was, for InI, the realization of a desire which InI had long cherished.

The attainment of any one goal is never more than a temporary achievement. A mountain top is reached, beyond, on the far slope, there are new lands to explore, and new peaks to scale. As each goal along life's path is reached, new vistas open before InI, and new challenges are made. It is indeed, an immutable order of life that man's striving can never end, that to pause in life's struggle is to slip back along the road to progress. Man is born in sorrow, and in the sweat of his brow must he earn his bread.

The reuniting of this seacoast with its ancient motherland constituted a clear challenge to use for the benefit of InI entire Empire the potential which this avenue to the Red Sea represents. InI have laboured mightily to meet this challenge. InI have undertaken the development of the Port to Assab, which will provide InI Empire with another major port. In the steps which InI have taken to improve communications throughout InI Empire full and careful consideration has been given to the need to increase the flow of trade through these ports and take advantage of the strategic position which they occupy on this great commercial life-line. InI have taken various other measures to improve and enhance the use and development of this area, and InI have other projects in mind which will result in the greater utilization of this region and these harbours.

The achievements that are being witnessed here and elsewhere are in themselves a testimony of the success of Ithiopia's development. InI would wish to note in this connection that in this as in other of InI efforts and sacrifices InI have always enjoyed the wholehearted and loyal support of InI beloved Eritrean people.

And today, another major step is being taken along the path which InI have marked out for InI beloved Country in bridging the gap between the isolation in which Ithiopia lived for so many years and the modern world.

FEDERATION FIRST STEP

The federation of Eritrea with Ithiopia was the first step. For the possession of a seacoast imposes grave responsibilities. Steps must be taken to assure the defence of InI coastline. Action is required to co-operate with Ithiopia's neighbours in the suppression of illicit trade. InI must prepare ourselves for the task of guiding and assisting those who toil on the sea. These and many other duties devolve upon InI by virtue of InI Empire's geographical position on the Red Sea.

When InI had in the past ventured into great undertakings, it has not been with the certainty of seeing it accomplished in a matter of five or ten years, and rather with the high hope and confidence that InI efforts will benefit the present and future generations of InI people.

And God in His wiseness has spared InI to see great accomplishments, and to look forward to yet greater achievements in all fields of national life.

Today, as InI see more and more of the educated taking their proper places in society with the goodwill and the determination to render loyal services to their country, InI are reminded of the statement that InI made some 15 years ago to the effect that the pride derived from the merits of worthy service is far greater than any feeling of pride that may spring from the heritage of wealth and property. As a result of InI national Programme of Education and the opportunities that it provides to all of InI people, yet other chapters are being added to the long and glorious history of InI country.

It is with satisfaction that Ini note that following the restoration to Ithiopia of her ancient ports, great strides have been made in the naval field, opening thus new and significant horizons and opportunities to the Navy as indeed to the men that have joined its distinguished service.

InI constant endeavour is to insure for now as for all times the effective defence of InI waters and seacoast, and InI are happy to feel that while establishing this College InI have laid the foundation for the great future of InI Imperial Navy.

Already, InI mind's eye is perceiving and promising achievements and InI feel certain that History will confirm InI confident knowledge that the Imperial Ithiopian Navy will occupy a vital place and will play an important role in the years that lie ahead.

A GOAL REACHED

This College is the institution whereby the means will be provided to discharge InI duties in the naval field, and the officer-cadets who will graduate from this school are the instruments who will be called upon to perform these tasks. You Cadets who have the good luck to become the first commissioned officers of the Imperial Ithiopian Navy are to be congratulated in the attainment of this moment. You too, however, are subject to the operation of the law of life to which InI have referred. Today, a goal is reached, and it is for you only a way-station along a road which will make increasingly greater demands of you as each succeeding stage is reached. The future dares you to prove yourselves worthy of the training which you have received, to fulfill the duties which now fall to your lot and to aid InI in the discharge of those high duties to which InI have devoted InI entire life. This is the challenge which awaits you today.

You must always remember that to lead, one must first learn to follow, you must obey the rules and regulations by which your conduct is to be governed. Be proud of the uniform which you wear, do nothing that would dishonour it. Strive always to bring credit upon yourself and your motherland. When you are faithful to these precepts, you will have properly and faithfully discharged your duty before InI and before your countrymen.

InI are pleased today to present to the Imperial Naval College these colours, which it will henceforth proudly display. They represent a testimonial of the faith which InI have reposed in this institution and in those charged with its administration and the confidence which, in full recognition of the high tasks which have been assigned the young men who will study here, InI contemplate this College's future growth and development.

InI extend InI thanks to all those whose contributions have made this ceremony possible: to Ras Andargatchew, who has toiled unceasingly in preparing the physical structures which comprise this institution; to the Government of the United States of America, which has generously contributed the vessels and equipment utilized in the training programme; to the Ambassador of the United States of America, His Excellency Mr. Don C. Bliss, who has co-operated wholeheartedly in the implementation of this programme; to Commander Iskinder Desta who has with diligence carried out the orders for the development of the school, and finally, to those devoted Norwegian and American officers and men who have instructed and trained the cadets who study here.

JANUARY 22, 1959

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PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATION-GONDAR

When InI laid the foundation for the progress and development of the country, the fact that InI granted the Constitution was in order to strengthen unity so that InI country will be built around the idea of one Emperor and one Government in which everyone will be conscious of his duty based upon the principle of one for all and all for one. InI have chosen education as InI primary concern because InI know that it is the instrument by which InI aims could be brought to fruition.

The spirit of unity within Ithiopia around one Emperor emanated from the people of Begemder, and their partriotic efforts have been crowned with laurels. InI have made it InI constant concern to help them in their quest for learning for which InI have established the various schools and institutions of learning. Through education one can keep himself healthy; one can acquire the knowledge of many other things; and without health, education and growth of a population are unattainable. Today when InI present you with these certificates of accomplishment, InI heart over-flows with joy.

Now that you are to begin the medical and health profession, InI recommend that you work diligently, for treatment and cure alone is not enough for a country; prevention is also necessary. The Amhara race must know that it has an obligation on its part to work in the technical field, no matter at what level. To preserve the heritage of one's honour and culture is praiseworthy, and to exceed the limits may prove detrimental.

InI have ventured to say this because it has come to InI knowledge that there exists here scorn for labour. InI have come after having laid the foundation stones for the establishment of a textile factory, a hydro-electric plant and for a bridge in the development of highways in order to help in the advancement of the people of Begemder and Gojjam. Unless the people benefit through work InI efforts and thoughts will have been in vain. They will have also violated the wish of the Almighty that by one's toil he must earn his living. Much cannot be accomplished in the pursuit of spiritual advancement, let alone that of material gains, without labour. Learn! Work! InI have established community education so that both the youth and the adult may learn. Education and the quest for knowledge stop only at the grave....

MAY 18, 1959

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U.C.A.A. 6th GRADUATION

.....He who would be a leader must pay the price in self-discipline and moral restraint. This entails the correction and improvement of personal character, the checking of passions and desires, and an exemplary control of one's bodily needs and drives.....

This graduation ceremony is an occasion, not merely for recapitulating and recounting the fruits of past efforts in terms of examination results and of degrees and diplomas awarded, and also for fixing one's sights upon future accomplishments, obligations and possibilities.

For the sixth time in the history of this College, InI see an imposing group of young men and women graduate from this institution. Most of you, as in previous years, will continue your studies and prepare yourselves for higher degrees and varying careers. Whether pursuing further studies or going directly into the world, all of you will soon be embarking upon a new stage of your lives.

InI, therefore, deem it necessary and appropriate, on this occasion when you of this year's graduating class look back upon your student years with a measure of nostalgia and look forward, perhaps with a measure of overstandable apprehension towards your future careers, to speak to you about leaders and leadership.

As you know, leadership is required in all fields and no field is without its usefulness. During InI visits, however, to the educational institutions of InI country, InI have noticed, in answer to InI enquiries, that the percentage of students pursuing courses of study useful for the development of technology and industry, has been extremely low. InI have, therefore, counselled you to take up technological and industrial courses in preparing for an over-all programme. The reason for InI introducing this topic at present is that InI have found the number of those receiving degrees in technological subjects today to be very small indeed, and wish to impress upon you all that it is InI desire to see a much larger number of InI young people benefiting from the resources InI have on InI own and have received as aid from abroad, and graduating in the fields of technology and industrial education.

THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP

InI all know that the need for good leadership in every walk of life is much greater today than ever before. Every aspect of living demands guiding hands: business, the professions, the fine arts, the mechanical arts, all. And all of you young people, who have been given the enriching opportunity of an advanced education will in the future be called upon to shoulder in varying degrees the responsibilities to leading and serving the nation.

It is important, however, to remember that leadership does not mean domination. The world is always well supplied with people who wish to rule and dominate others. The true leader is of a different sort: he seeks effective activity which has a truly beneficient purpose. He inspires others to follow in his wake, and holding aloft the torch of wiseness, leads the way for society to realize its genuinely great aspirations.

You have learnt from your study of history that the story of nations is often told in terms of the accomplishments of individuals. In every significant event in history, you will find a courageous and determined leader, an inspiring goal or objective, and an adversary who sought to foil his efforts.

In any normal society, every one has some opportunity to show himself as a leader. Even the mechanic or clerk who has an assistant assigned to him not to speak of the doctor with all his helpers, or the officer who commands his troops, is a leader. Within his own sphere, each has the same opportunities for showing ability, and the same potential satisfactions as has the leader of a government. The leader is marked out by his individual craftsmanship, his sensibility and insight, his initiative and energy.

THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Leaders are people who raise the standards by which they judge themselves---and by which they are willing to be judged. The goal chosen, the objective selected, the requirements imposed, are not merely for their followers alone. They develop with consummate energy and devotion their own skill and knowledge in order to reach the standards they themselves have set. This whole-hearted acceptance of the demands imposed by ever higher standards is the basis of all human progress. A love of high quality, InI must remember, is essential in a leader.

Dependability is another requirement in a leader. To be dependable is to be willing to accept responsibility, and to carry it out faithfully. A leader will always be willing to take counsel from his people, and will often have to act on what his own mind tells him is right. This demands that the leader has trained himself out of any inordinate fear of making mistakes.

To embark successfully on a career involving leadership demands a courageous and determined spirit. Once a person has decided upon his life work, and is assured that in doing the work for which he is best endowed and equipped, he is filling a vital need, what he then needs is faith and integrity, coupled with a courageous spirit, so that, no longer preferring himself to the problems he must solve in order to be effective. One mark of the great leader is that he feels sufficiently secure to devote his thought and attention to the well-being of his subordinates and the perfection of his task, rather than being constantly worried about the approval or disapproval of others.

He who would be a leader must pay the price in self-discipline and moral restraint. This entails the correction and improvement of personal character, the checking of passions and desires, and an exemplary control of one's bodily needs and drives.

Leaders have to submit themselves to a stricter self-discipline and develop a more exemplary moral character than is expected of others. To be first in place, one must be first in merit as well.

It should not surprise InI then, to find that the greater number of acknowledged leaders have been people who trained themselves in the art of discipline and obedience. He who has not learned to render prompt and willing service to others will find it difficult to win and keep the goodwill and co-operation of his subordinates.

A LEADER MUST STAY AHEAD

Further, a leader must possess initiative, which is the creative ability to think in new ways and do new things. The leader has always to stay ahead. He cannot afford to set up a procedure, and then fold his hands and linger lazily watching it work. He cannot be content merely to see new trends and take advantage of them. He must keep his imagination vividly alive, so as to originate ideas and start trends.

A word of warning is in order here. To help one's subordinates or dependents at the cost of harm to the public, is tantamount to sacrilege and blasphemy. It is unfortunate, that many in positions of leadership, both great and small, have been found guilty of such practices.

A good leader is devoted to his work and will willingly forego even the demands of sleep to see its accomplishment. This does not mean that he is impetuous. On the other hand, he maintains a balance between emotional drive and sound thinking.

His labours, which sometimes appear excessive, derive from his firm realization that unless a man undertakes more than he can possibly do he will never be able to do all he can do. It is his enthusiasm that stimulates his energy.

No matter what our point of departure in speaking of leadership, we reach the inescapable conclusion that the art of leadership consists in the ability to make people want to work for you, when they are really under no obligation to do so.

The true leader is one who realizes by faith that he is an instrument in the hands of God, and dedicates himself to be a guide and inspirer of the nobler sentiments and aspirations of the people. He will kindle interest, teach, aid, correct and inspire. Those whom he leads will co-operate with him in maintaining discipline for the good of the group. He will instruct his followers in the goals towards which to strive, and create in them a sense of mutual effort for attaining the goal.

BASIC ASPIRATIONS

To sum up, there is no power on earth, in this University or elsewhere, that can take a clerk from his desk or a mechanic from his bench, and easily mould him into a leader. To develop oneself, one has to develop one's own initiative and perseverance---a man has to strive in order to grow.

As educated people, you will be looked up to, and much will be expected of you. You will be regarded, and rightly so, as those who have the necessary knowledge and the ability to inspire, to guide and to lead. It is for this reason that InI expect from you to whom InI have given the opportunity of education in your chosen fields, great and productive service to InI country.

These fundamental ideas of which InI have briefly spoken this day, constitute, InI presume, part of the thought you have absorbed during the course of your studies in this University College. May these basic thoughts accompany you during the years ahead and aid you in accomplishing great things for InI beloved country, Ithiopia.

In conclusion, InI would like to express InI thanks and appreciation to the members of the faculty and the Board of this University College for their zealous and untiring efforts for the growth of knowledge and the development of character in the young people who learn here.

InI would like especially to entrust InI Vice-Minister of Education, on the basis of the statement made by him regarding the expansion and growth of education in the country, with the high responsibility of assiduously and untiringly striving to carry out the schemes mentioned and the decisions made by the Board.

JULY 17, 1959

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