A special telethon program organized by the National Coordinating Committee for the return of Axum obelisk was held in the National palace on February 27, 2005. At the telethon, our chairman and owner of MIDROC Ethiopia Sheik Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Amoudi made his usual generous contribution and pledged 1 Million Birr.

Also, Sheraton Addis and the eleven companies organized under the Office of the CEO have pledged 1.5 Million Birr and 100 thousand Birr respectively. In addition to these contributions, National Oil Company (NOC), a MIDROC Group company, bought in auction obelisk replica made of silver for 430,000 Birr. Present at the fund raising program were H.E. president Girma W/Giorgis, H.E. Prime Minister Melese Zenawi, Ministers, State Officials, Ambassadors, International organizations’ Officials and other invited guests. All in all, it was learned that over 8 million Birr has been pledged by various organizations and individuals at the special telethon.