Ethiopian student gets praise for carrying firewood at his graduation ceremony to honor his mother

An Ethiopian student, who went viral for carrying a bunch of firewood at his graduation as a sign of gratitude to his mother, has received a job offer for his highly applauded tribute. 

According to BBC, Ephrem Belete stole the spotlight during his graduation from Addis Ababa University over the weekend. The computer science graduate is said to have carried the firewood to commend his mother’s efforts in ensuring he had an education.

Belete said his mother shed “tears of happiness” in response to his gesture. “I did this to give credit to my mother. My life is just one among millions of Ethiopians,” he added.

The video of Belete showing gratitude to his mother went viral in the Horn of Africa nation. People also took to social media to praise him. 

Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Agency offered Belete a job on Monday. The computer science graduate, however, turned the offer down because he said he intends to pursue an endeavor targeted at Ethiopia’s youth. 

Addis Ababa mayor Adanech Abiebie also offered Belete’s mother a job as well as a two-bedroom house, BBC reported. Belete said he believes his tribute to his mother will encourage young Ethiopians to lend a helping hand to their families.