A Mother’s Name, A Nation’s Future: World-Renowned Oromo Scientist Inaugurates School in Oolankomii

OOLANKOMII, Shaggar Lixaa – In a powerful gesture of giving back, world-renowned Oromo scientist Professor Gabbisaa Ejjetaa today inaugurated a secondary school he personally funded and built in his hometown of Oolankomii. The school was officially opened for service on Amajjii 25, 2026.

Named in honor of his late mother, Mootuu Ayyaanoo, the “Mootuu Ayyaanoo Secondary School” stands as a permanent tribute to the values of nurture, wisdom, and foundational support—embodied by mothers in Oromo culture. Professor Ejjetaa stated that naming the institution after his mother was a way to immortalize her sacrifices and to inspire future generations to honor their roots while reaching for the stars.

The inauguration ceremony was a moment of immense pride and celebration for the community of Oolankom. Local elders, educators, students, and residents gathered to witness the ribbon-cutting, marking the culmination of Professor Ejjetaa’s vision to provide a modern, quality educational facility for the town’s youth.

Professor Gabbisaa Ejjetaa, a distinguished plant geneticist known for his groundbreaking work in developing drought-resistant sorghum, is a source of immense pride for the Oromo people globally. The establishment of this school underscores his deep commitment to translating global scientific acclaim into tangible local development. It represents a different kind of freedom fight—the liberation of young minds through education.

The Mootuu Ayyaanoo Secondary School is equipped to serve hundreds of students, offering a conducive learning environment designed to foster academic excellence and critical thinking. Community leaders hailed the project as transformative. “This is not just a building; it is a beacon of hope,” said one elder present. “Our son excelled abroad, but his heart remained here. Today, he plants the seed of knowledge for our children. Ulfaadhaa—may it bear abundant fruit.”

The school’s opening is seen as a significant milestone for educational access in the region, promising to empower a new generation of Oromo youth by combining rigorous academics with a strong grounding in their cultural identity and values.

In his address, Professor Ejjetaa emphasized that true development begins with education. He expressed his hope that the school would become a cradle for future scientists, leaders, and compassionate citizens who would contribute to their community and the world.

The inauguration of the Mootuu Ayyaanoo Secondary School is more than a local event; it is a resonant story of global success circling back to its source, of a scientist honoring his first teacher—his mother—and of a community’s future being brightly rewritten.

Ulfaadhaa jennaan. (We say, may it bear fruit.)