Awards-giving day in Garowe: PSU honors its heroes

Garowe, Wednesday 23rd of July 2008

Awards-giving day in Garowe: PSU honors its heroes

Awards-giving ceremony held in Garowe

Showing gratitude and appreciation is a great a multiplier of positive energy. Many tribes in Africa, and elsewhere in the world, believe that demonstrating gratitude is a blessing that people give to another. If done everyday, imagine how blessed we would feel! In that regard, showing thankfulness is a sure way of getting more out of life and leading by example.

That was definitely the enveloping spirit on Wednesday the 23rd of July at Puntland State University (PSU) in Garowe. The day marked a very special occassion in the history of the university and indeed in the history of the entire state of Puntland. 4 different categories of individuals and institutions who in one way or another contributed immensely both materially and immaterially to the institutional and intellectual advancement of the university were set in the spotlights and most importantly given a prestigious award.

The award, which can be seen in the photos below, recognized the efforts each of these individuals and institutions had made for the university over the years.

The group of 4 that were acknowledged for their outstanding work and contribution to the university were;

1. Mr. Mohamoud Noor Wardere (for, among others, doing distance lobbying and advocacy and fundraising for the university, came all the way from Minnesota to personally receive the award!)
2. Diakonia (for, among others, providing financial assistance to build the university structures)
3. Mohamed Abdullahi Ahmed (for providing land property, free of charge- how cool is that!?)
4. UNDP-Somalia (for, among others, providing financial support to the estabslishment of a Law Faculty at PSU and scholarships)

The day was moderated by Siciid Wayeel of Kaalo Relief and Development. His excellency honourable Mr. Mohamoud Sheikh Hamid gave a heart-warming speech about how appreciative he was both as an individual and a PSU representative. Miss Nimo Ahmed Mohamoud, the first female Dean Puntland Academia has ever known, profoundly enlightened the audience about the past, present and future aspirations of PSU. Also, there were former PSU lecturers who gave different speeches about, for example, the role of the Somali diaspora in contributing to the education system in Puntland.

Before the awards were handed over, information relating to background and exact contributions made by the group of 4 was presented.

It is often the case that awarding an institution for work done is not seen as such a big thing because people often take it for granted that international donor institutions should provide development assistance. The striking thing about this awards-giving ceremony was that Somali individuals were also the recipients of the PSU-2008 awards. Many young and old people in the audeince were inspired by the occasion. It’s not everyday that exciting moments take place in Somalia. I too felt a great pride in being present at the crowning of the recipients.

In my opinion, the occasion itself had many meanings. Firstly, it signified how the mere acknowledgment of showing gratitude can move societies in a totally different discourse. Second, the occassion ignited fuel for cultivating ground for potential duplication. Thirdly, if done frequently, we would be feeling so blessed everyday!

All in all, the four figures-see photos below deserve a big bravo from all of us in Puntland and in indeed in Somalia.

But most importantly we say thank you! Shukran! Asante sana! Dank jullie wel! Mahadsanid! Zikomo kwanbiri! Merci!

As Mr. Wardere rightfully said, the awards do not translate into “thank you and goodbye!” but “thank you and here is an invitation to continuing doing what you did and do more!”

And that is exactly what we expect from the recipients of the 2008 PSU-Awards!

Arios, Sah