It is with as much shock as sorrow that we report the untimely death of Azage Tegegne, a leading Ethiopian livestock scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) who retired from ILRI just last June after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the institute. Azage died after a short illness in his home country, Ethiopia, on 12 January 2020. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Azage’s mother and children.
More than a staff member, colleague and friend of ILRI, Azage was a form of institutional bedrock, seemingly embedded in the very DNA of ILRI, where he spent his entire professional life, serving ILRI not only as an outstanding scientist and project manager but also, as noted by Siboniso (‘Boni’) Moyo, ILRI’s director general representative in Ethiopia, as ‘institutional walking memory’.
Azage received both his bachelor’s (animal science) and master’s (animal production) degrees from Addis Ababa University’s Alemaya College of Agriculture (now Haramaya University), in Ethiopia, and his doctoral degree (animal reproduction) in 1989 from the Graduate School of Tropical Veterinary Science and Agriculture at James Cook University, in Australia.
ILRI’s predecessor, the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA), which was based in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, first engaged Azage as a graduate research fellow from 1986 to 1988 and then hired him as a post-doctoral research fellow upon completion of his doctoral studies, in 1989, until 1991. In 1992, ILCA promoted Azage to animal scientist, a position he served through ILCA’s merger with the International Laboratory for Research on Livestock Diseases {ILRAD), based in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1995 to form ILRI. From 2000 through 2003, Azage served as manager of ILRI’s Debre Zeit Research Station. From 2004 through 2018, Azage coordinated the livestock work of two large science-based development-oriented research projects, ‘Improving the Productivity and Market Success of Ethiopian farmers’ (IPMS) and ‘Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders’ (LIVES). In 2012, Azage took over management of the whole of the LIVES project until its completion, in 2018. Also in 2012, Azage began serving as deputy director general representative in Ethiopia.
Azage was a prolific communicator, co-authoring more than 350 scientific and professional articles, including 150 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, abstracts, conference articles, book chapters and working papers. He played an even larger role as a mentor, co-supervising 71 post-graduate students at PhD (17) and MSc/DVM (54) levels enrolled in Ethiopian and international universities. And it is virtually impossible to overstate Azage’s professional stand and the many roles he played in academic research institutions over these decades, with his accomplishments and extensive experience in university teaching, research, development and advisory services hard to match. Azage was, for example, a founding fellow of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences and the Ethiopian Society for Animal Welfare. He served as editor-in-chief of the Ethiopian Journal of Animal Production (EJAP); was a member of the editorial board of the Canadian peer-reviewed CPQ Nutrition journal; a member of the boards of trustees of both Ethiopia’s Haramaya and Debre Berhan universities; a member of the editorial advisory boards of the international Animal Reproduction Science journal and the Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Bahir Dar University; a member of the Ethiopian Veterinary Association (EVA); a member of the advisory councils for Ethiopia’s Amhara Regional Government and Ministry of Science and Higher Education; and a member of the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture’s Advisory Council and Think Tank Group. In addition, using his considerable expertise in Ethiopian livestock development, Azage contributed to studies and missions organized by, among others, Austria’s Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology; the Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA); the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Irish Aid; the Netherlands Government; the UK’s Overseas Development Institute (ODI); and the World Bank.
Azage received more than 20 national and international awards over his career, including most recently being bestowed the degree of Honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) in 2012 from Bahir Dar University and the award of Outstanding Alumni from James Cook University in 2013, and an award recognizing his ‘lifetime contribution’ to the Ethiopian Society for Animal Production (ESAP) in August 2019.
It is perhaps fitting to close here with the following remarks made by Boni Moyo on the occasion of Agaze’s retirement from ILRI, in June 2018.
It is difficult to find the right words to express ILRI’s appreciation for Azage’s many and large contributions over the years. On behalf of Jimmy Smith, ILRI director general, ILRI management and the entire ILRI family, we thank you for your hard work, your diligence, your dedication, and your long-standing commitment to sustainable smallholder livestock development. Your high standards and scientific excellence have been recognized by ILRI’s partners as critical to the development of Ethiopia’s livestock sector in particular. You have always gone beyond the call of duty, always putting in extra hours of work and always delivering high-quality outputs.
Thank you very, very much, Merci beaucoup, Asante sana, Muito obrigado, Ameseginalehu.
And ILRI’s director general, Jimmy Smith, says:
It is difficult to find words to adequately convey what a loss Azage’s passing is to Ethiopia, to ILRI and to me personally. He personified ILRI’s mission to use science to transform the livelihoods of livestock farmers with unequaled passion that infected all with whom he engaged. He left us far too soon. I will miss him very much. ILRI will miss him. As will the entire development community of Ethiopia.
What follow are other tributes to Azage from ILRI’s large and extended family.
If you would like to pay your respects, please leave a comment in the comment box below this article as posted on the ILRI News blog site (https://news.ilri.org/) and we will forward this article and all the comments posted to Azage’s family later this week.
I have known Dr Azage Tegegne since 1984. When I was a freshman student in the former Alemaya University, he was a student dean and instructor in the animal science department. He was known for putting the interests of his students ahead of his own interests, or even those of the university administration. Dr Azage was an observant, friendly and real scientist. He had extremely rich experiences, which he drew on to contribute a lot to our country. His passing is a great loss for ILRI, for our national research system and for agricultural development in this country. We will all miss Dr Azage.
— Kindu Mekonnen, crop-livestock systems senior scientist in ILRI’s Sustainable Livestock Systems Program
It’s hard to imagine ILRI without Azage. He has been a huge part of this institute for as long as I’ve been here. I never failed to be impressed by Azage’s vast knowledge of livestock and repeatedly told him that he was a walking/talking library. He had an ability to captivate his audience with his knowledge and gained the respect of countless people. Wherever we went together, he would run into someone he knew, and he’d tell me, ‘Oh, yes, I’ve taught him or her’, so I was always unsure of exactly how many students he had in total. He also managed to find humour in everything, so there was always laughter in our corridors. I will miss seeing Azage in his usual smoking spot (we called it his ‘second office’, where we’ve held many impromptu meetings) or at the Zebu Club after hours, where, if I had my kids with me, he’d insist on giving them candy from his seemingly never-ending supply, despite my objections. Azage leaves a huge void here at ILRI and we Ethiopians have lost one of our best, but we will make sure his legacy lives on. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
—Muluhiwot Getachew, program manager of ILRI’s Impact at Scale Program
The African livestock sector has lost its icon. Azage was a colleague, a mentor and a great friend. I hope that we can find comfort together during this difficult time and carry our memories together for the rest of our lives. We know that he still had plans to contribute more to the livestock sector. May he rest in eternal peace.
—Tadelle Dessie, principal scientist in genetics and breeding in ILRI’s Livestock Genetics Program
It is very sad and shocking to know of the sudden death of Dr Azage Tegegne. I have known Dr Azage for over 17 years. He was an external assessor of my PhD thesis defense at the University of Free State, in South Africa in 2003. His constructive comments and suggestions helped me a lot, not only by improving my thesis but also by encouraging me to think different about research in the area of livestock reproductive technology. My supervisors at the University of Free Sate found his academic capabilities amazing. Ten years later, in 2013, I got a chance to work with him as a regional expert in the ‘Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders’ (LIVES) project in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. As a manager of the LIVES project, Dr Azage coached us not in the manner of a ‘project manager’ but rather as an ‘elder brother’. He shared with us his rich experiences in how to plan and implement a research-for-development project. His advice focused not only on the scientific aspects of project implementation but also on how to approach and maintain smooth working relationships with farmers, extension agents and officials. At times when our relationship with some stakeholders got rough, Dr Azage stepped in to mediate and restore a healthy relationship. His talent and personal qualities were appreciated by all our stakeholders. I was proud of working under his leadership. I’m sure my colleagues in the LIVES project would agree with me that Dr Azage was a knowledgeable, humble, friendly and compassionate person. I so enjoyed working with him. Precious memories of Azage will certainly remain in our hearts. May God rest his soul in peace and give his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
—Zeleke Mekuriaw—regional coordinator for East Africa of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems
We are all heartbroken!! We have lost an outstanding scientist, Ethiopia’s gift to Africa, a truly social animal, and generally an amazing human being. You will always remain in my heart. Rest in peace, Azi!!!
—Aynalem Haile, small ruminant senior scientist in ICARDA’s Breeding and Genetics Program
I knew Dr Azage Tegegne when I was undergraduate student and he was student dean at Alemaya College of Agriculture. Dr Azage was known for his great leadership. And for the way he fought hard for the interests of his many students. From 2014 to 2016, I had the chance to work with Dr Azage in a project he was leading named ‘Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders’ (LIVES). I found Azage a strategic leader, collegial and well-versed.
—Amare Haileslassie, IWMI principal researcher
Azage Tegegne was a true professional who always challenged colleagues to be practical, innovative and impactful. I recall many conversations, with their ‘hybridization of ideas’, that we had with Azage, many of which, despite taking long to gestate, eventually grew into impactful projects. The delays in the realization of these projects were often due to others being less inclined to think ‘out of the CG box’. Among the notable ideas that I attribute to Azage was his constant nagging of me and ILRI’s genetics team in the early 2000s to move from what he referred to as ‘in-silico’-related animal genetics/breeding research to more practical and directly impactful breeding design, implementation and assessment research in development-type projects and programs that would directly benefit poor African livestock farmers. Examples of this kind of more practical work include delivering more productive but resilient dairy cattle to Ethiopia’s smallholder dairy farmers by combining existing and emerging reproductive technologies and the right breed choices; today, this work has been realized in (now-well known) ‘synchronization’, ‘fixed-time’ or ‘synchronized artificial insemination’ programs, which have enabled thousands of poor Ethiopian farmers with their local zebu animals to breed and own more productive and profitable dairy cows. Another example of an Azage-idea-turned-into-reality is ILRI’s flagship African Dairy Genetic Gains (ADGG) program work in Ethiopia, which is applying cutting-edge genomics and information technologies to identify the most suitable breeding animals from Ethiopia’s existing crossbreds and locally adapted commercial dairy breeds. Azage had a sharp and generous mind and shared freely. He had a habit of asking tough questions of scientists proposing new research and infusing his ideas though academic mentorships via the many MSc and PhD graduate students he supervised. In doing so, Azage, true to his reproductive physiology expertise, left behind many academic offspring, for which Ethiopia will always cherish Azage’s life and memory. Azage’s demise has robbed me of a true professional colleague and brother at ILRI. May the Almighty grant his children and family the strength to go through these trying moments and grant his soul an everlasting peace, noting that he duly played his part in life. In his memory, may those of us he impacted recommit ouselves to support millions of poor African livestock farmers to prosper and reap more benefits from their livestock!
—Okeyo Mwai, Azage’s adopted brother from southern Ethiopia and deputy leader of ILRI’s Livestock Genetics Program
Prof Azage was a treasured friend and a dear colleague. Ethiopia has lost a scientific giant and a brilliant man. His passion for his work and country has inspired many. While the grief is inconsolable, fond memories of his subtle laugh and quick-witted jokes remain unforgettable. I will miss you, Prof! May you rest in eternal peace.
—Kumneger Tilahun, ILRI Liaison and Protocol Manager
From 2009 to 2016, I worked closely with Azage in my ILRI communications roles in Addis Ababa. A senior scientist and expert on all matters livestock, Ethiopia and ILRI, he shared guidance, lessons and collaboration freely, in his inimitable ways. He was more than a scientist and manager, with natural communication skills and enthusiasm, drawing often on his experiences in the 1990’s at the Disney Epcot center and the World Bank where he shared and communicated ways to feed the world with thousands of tourists and central bankers alike. These experiences easily led him to experiment, enthusiastically, with all sorts of interactive exhibitions and sharefairs with people and learning at their heart. A perfect complement to more formal science communication. The perfect forum for his style and personality to shine. His sharp insights and wide experiences will be sorely missed; also, his humour, conviviality and sheer love for the people around him.
—Peter Ballantyne, ILRI Communications and Knowledge Management
Every conversation with Azage left you learning something for the day. It could have been about politics, religion or the breakfast you were eating in front of him. His knowledge was deep and covered all subjects. His jokes—smart and funny—will not be forgotten. (Sometimes they were so smart that you got the meaning after a day or so.) He loved kids and always had sweets in his pockets that he gave out to the kids that come to the Zebu Club.
—Coach Berhanu, ILRI Zebu Club
We are all shocked by the sad news of the passing on of Dr Azage. Azage supported ICARDA in many ways, starting from the establishment of our office in Ethiopia. He has always been there to help when needed. I personally had many discussions with him on various issues and I have benefited from his great wisdom and his deep knowledge of animal agriculture. This is a great loss to Ethiopia and to the livestock research community in particular. Azage, you will always be remembered as an outstanding scientist and a very good and wise friend.
—Barbara Rischkowsky, director of ICARDA’s Resilient Agricultural Livelihood Systems Program
On Behalf of CIMMYT, I want to express my deepest sympathies to ILRI family on the sudden demise of Dr. Azage Tegegne. He was an asset not only to ILRI but to the agriculture and livestock sector in Ethiopia and beyond. His contributions , support and friendship will always be remembered by all of us. Our prayers and thoughts will always be there with the ILRI family and his own in these challenging times.
—Bekele Abeyo, CIMMYT senior scientist and wheat breeder/ pathologist for sub-Saharan Africa
It was heart breaking news when we heard the passing of Dr Azage, an iconic scientist Ethiopia lost forever. In his lifetime, Dr Azage contributed a lot to his country in particular and to the scientific community in general. He will be remembered by all his friends and his CG colleagues. We are deeply saddened by this great loss and dearly missing him. May his soul rest in peace!
—Bekele Abeyo, on behalf of CIMMYT’s Ethiopia-based staff
I am shocked and sad to hear of the death of Dr Azage, a long-standing friend and colleague for whom I have had the utmost respect, as a person, as a scientist, as a contributor to Ethiopia, and as an ILRI scientist. What a loss. I send my sincere condolences.
—Brian Perry, former leader of ILRI’s Epidemiology and Socio-economics Program, now visiting/honorary professor at the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh
What a shock and a great loss. Azage has made a huge contribution to Ethiopia—as a development champion, research leader and mentor to many. He will be greatly missed but will live on in his students and many other contributions.
—John McDermott, former deputy director general of ILRI and now director of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health
Azage was one of those people who had an ability to see things differently, to bring new ideas and to challenge old ones, and at the same time, to get everyone to agree with him! I’ve been in countless meetings where Azage had challenged us and helped us to arrive at a much better end result. When I first moved to Ethiopia, in 2004, Azage was manager of ILRI’s Debre Zeit Research Station, and I had the privilege of working directly with him for several years, benefitting immensely, as have many others, from his wise and deep knowledge of Ethiopian livestock. Azage will be sorely missed but always remembered by many. With deepest condolences.
—Shirley Tarawali, ILRI Assistant Director General
Azage had a way of changing people. For the better. And for the longer term. Almost 20 years ago, when Azage was managing ILRI’s Debre Zeit Research Station and I was ILRI’s science writer, Azage asked me to cover an open day he was holding at our research station an hour south of the ILRI campus. He explained that he had organized for many ILRI partners to set up, on a large field of grass, bulletin boards of information about their livestock work. I begged off; I had many urgent writing deadlines and was sure this would entail a dreary afternoon of scientific poster sessions. Azage, being Azage, insisted on my going. In the end, I went, reluctantly. On arrival, I found tacked up on the first bulletin board I came across a story that seared my heart. I wrote it up as follows. I copy it now in Azage’s memory. Because it changed my professional life. And my heart.
—Susan MacMillan, ILRI communications and public awareness team leader
‘Kalkidan’: Where starvation and salvation are in our hands
Here is a story no longer written in societies of the industrialized world. The story is told in eight sentences and two snapshots pinned to a bulletin board erected in a grassy field in the highlands of Ethiopia. The story is about starvation and salvation.This is an ‘open day’ at the Debre Zeit Research Station of the International Livestock Research Institute. A small middle-aged Ethiopian woman stands in front of a bulletin board titled ‘Center for Mentally Retarded Children’. A table displaying a few homemade stuffed animals is in front of her. I walk over to her stand and she introduces herself as the coordinator of the centre. She talks me through the picture storyboard behind her.
At three years old, a child named Kalkidan was brought by her mother to her church-run centre for mentally retarded children in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa. Kalkidan was starving and stunted as well as mentally and physically impaired in several ways when she arrived at the centre. She could not walk, for example, and spoke only gibberish.
Staff of the Center for Mentally Retarded Children took Kalkidan in, put her on an intensive feeding program of milk and vegetables, and cared for her. The staff taught Kalkidan’s mother how to care for her: she must give her daughter better foods, they said, and lots of love and patience.
Kalkidan thrived on the food and care. Within weeks she began to talk sense and she was walking within a few months. One year later, Kalkidan was physically and mentally robust. A team of doctors pronounced her ‘fit’ in all ways and her mother enrolled her in a nursery school for normal children.
What had happened? Starved of sufficient nutrients, Kalkidan’s mind and body had started to shut down; provided a healthy diet, her mind and body returned to health.
The misdiagnosis of Kalkidan turned out to be her salvation. Had she been merely another hungry Ethiopian child, staff of the Center for Mentally Retarded Children could not have attended to her needs, and she almost certainly would have grown up both mentally and physically handicapped.
Kalkidan was doubly lucky to be both misdiagnosed and found by the centre, which started operations in 1986 with 8 children and today cares for 350. . . .This year, ILRI was asked to help the centre coordinator obtain two ‘grade’ dairy cows to help the centre feed its children.
That gift of a cow was important. Milk is ‘white gold’ in Africa. Drunk fresh or sour, eaten as butter or cheese, dairy foods are foods of life here. They are especially important for children of poor households subsisting on poor starchy diets. For these mal- and under-nourished children, even little additions of milk and other animal foods will help prevent stunting of their physical and mental development.
In July 2001, ILRI provided two crossbred cows from its research station at Debre Zeit, an hour south of the capital. A month later, ILRI’s Debre Zeit station manager, Dr Azage Tegegne, visited the Addis children’s centre. He saw a fine dairy barn the centre staff had built. He watched as the staff and the children in their care fed and milked the cows. Everything was clean and organized.
Some of the mentally handicapped adolescents who were trained at the centre have returned to their homes, where they work with farm animals to help their families make a living. The centre has given chickens to one of its graduates, a young man who is now busy selling eggs, and it gave a local cow to a 20-year-old woman who sells the surplus milk and was recently gratified by the birth of the cow’s first calf.
What these children need, says the centre coordinator, is lots of love and patience from their families and communities. Those commodities are free.
The milk and other high-quality foods these children need are commodities we in the international community can help Ethiopians produce.
To help or to obtain more information, please contact: Dr Azage Tegegne, manager of
ILRI’s Debre Zeit Research Station.
ILRI news 
R.I.P
The passing of Azage is shocking and very sad news. Friends across ILRI and particularly from the Addis campus have expressed with great warmth and clarity the incredible person Azage was, his unlimited positive energy, his unique ability to combine science-based thinking with a solidly grounded understanding, and immense empathy for poor livestock keepers.
I particularly appreciated Azage’s loyalty to ILRI and to the cause of development. During my tenure as director general of ILRI I found him a thoughtful advisor who helped me in several instances manage complex institutional challenges.
After leaving ILRI in 2011 I only interacted sporadically with Azage. But a few months back I had the privilege of working with Azage on a study of livestock innovations which included jointly participating at a planning workshop in Nairobi. Azage was in his usual great form, made great substantive contributions as well as good jokes. This is how I will forever remember Azage!
I would like to convey my deepest condolences to his family. Your pain is shared by all of us who knew and appreciated Azage. May his soul rest in peace.
Carlos Seré
Former director general ILRI
Azage, a dear and special friend. Always encouraging and supportive. Looking out for how to make a difference and how to create an enabling environment for others to work and contribute to the larger shared vision of turning Africa into the Eden it was designed to be. May your family find comfort in knowing that you had a fruitful and impactful life. The work you began is a key building block for others to continue the journey.
I still struggle to believe Dr Azage is no more with us here in ILRI campus. We are deeply left heartbroken. We missed our icon too soon when we expect him to be relieved from daily routines and continue to contribute on strategic national and regional livestock development issues. It is very difficult to find words to explain how he has cultivated and influenced millions. What a great loss to ILRI, to Ethiopia and to the entire region! May God rest his soul in peace!
What a shock this is! Azage was a great colleague and a great animal scientist who was part and parcel of the ILRI fraternity globally especially in Ethiopia. I will hold his memory close to my heart and think fondly of the many conversations I had with him whenever I travelled to Ethiopia. My condolences to his family and close friends and may his soul rest in peace!
My family and I are shocked and saddened by the loss of a good colleague and a dear friend. There are no words
It comes as a shock when the world loses one of its great scientists, this tragedy is compounded when this scientist was also a great human being: Azage was both of these things. In my eyes, Azage is a very kind, warm-heated, visionary, prolific communicator and modest ILRI scientist. I often mentioned him to others as a role model of excellence in science, both in terms of his work and the way he conducted. I have had the utmost respect, as a person, as a scientist, as a contributor to Ethiopia, and as an ILRI scientist.
I join the ILRI team and the Ethiopian scientific community in commiserating the loss of a great livestock scientist, a wise friend and sociable colleague. Azage evinced great love for people and the profession. He had a way of making people welcome and freely shared his knowledge and humour. His memory and work lives on. May he awaken to joyful life in the beyond.
On Friday we received the news that Azage was seriously ill and Sunday we heard that he had passed away. We still have difficulty believing that such a generous and gentle man is no longer with us. Besides all the academic achievements, already memorized by many, I remember the fun and long conversations we had in the office and in the field during our IPMS and LIVES days. He greatly contributed to the positive team spirit we enjoyed over the years. Wonder what will happen to all the funny pictures he took over the years and which he shared with us when we got together. It always struck me that he was able to look like a dignified minister or a simple peasant, willing to help, whatever the situation called for. That was perhaps his strength and the reason why he was loved by such a wide range of people. We will always remember him as a true friend. We wish his daughter, son, mother and all others who were close to him strength during this difficult time.
Dirk (and Diny) Hoekstra – retired ILRI staff (IPMS, LIVES)
This week ILRI has lost one of its icons, the Ethiopian agriculture sector has lost one of its best, and Ethiopia has lost a son. I am in shock, and my heart is heavy with grief. Dr Azage was not only a former colleague but a familiar and friendly face to look out for whenever I passed by the Zebu Club. He was a connection between the present and the past for ILRI alumni such as myself. Whenever we sat for a chat – him over beer, me over tea or water – I would leave informed, challenged and amused. There was a lot more I wanted to ask, to learn, and we had said we would continue these conversations for more digs into the past of ILRI, ILCA and Alemaya University. This will never be. Azage will be missed by all that knew him, including my own family, who enjoyed his easy banters and jokes. ILRI and the Zebu Club will not be the same without him. I am so sorry for his sudden and untimely departure. May he rest in peace. Prayers for his children and mother.
Loza Mesfin, former ILRI Public Relations Officer, current Communications Director of Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
I have no words to express how deeply sad I am. I even find it hard to believe the fact that he has passed away. Thinking of the memories I had of him, I wish I get him again.
It was in the LIVES project that I got an opportunity to know him closely. He is resourceful and a great mentor. Every moment I had with him always left me with some perspective and a new insight.
I felt confident and empowered when I interacted with him.
I pray that his soul rests in peace. May God be with his family and give them the strength.
Mamusha Lemma, Capacity Development Expert – Impact at Scale Program
Azage has been an inspration to many young aspiring Ethiopian scientists including my self. A life well lived with enourmous contributions and impact. Rest in peace!
The sad news was a very painful electroconvulsive shock. It is very hard to believe. our last live talk was during the IPM, the icon you are was explaining your vision and the ways forwards to transform the livestock sector in Africa. we missed our appointment at Addis for the last weeks of 2019 and all was in place for us to meet this January after resuming from holidays. You are copied in a mail I share last 06th Jan 2020, not knowing you were sick. You cannot be gone just like that. Dr Azage, you will be missed, Rest in eternal peace.
It was in deep sorrow that I heard the death of Dr Azage Tegegne. I lack words to express him. Azage was one of the prominent livesock scientist in Ethiopia and contributed a lot for African and International livestock development programs. He was a great instructor, livestock research advisor and mentor when he during his life time. He was a friend for all. He brought livestock programs to stand on its feet in Ethiopia and supported numerous livestock professionals to a success. Pesonally I have learned a lot from his experience of professionalism and I will miss him a lot. My condolences to his families and his colleagues. Let the Almighty God accept his Soul in eternal Peace.
Words may not suffice to express the heartfelt sorrow that I feel for the passing of a prominent international scientist Dr. Azage. You were so kind, generous and helpful. Now, the angels rejoice as a good soul has finally made its way home! We never forget you!!! Rest in Peace our Herro!!!
Dr Azage has left us so suddenly. But he leaves an indelible contribution to livestock and forage science for Africa. We will be forever be grateful. May he RIP.
As a person and fellow agricultural researcher, I knew Dr Azage for the past 30 years. As I know him, he was open-minded, strategic and system thinker high level professional. Dr Azage gave immense performances to his country, but he was always very helpful to others, humblest, courteous and gentle man of our good citizen.
I always observed his great energy and scientific truth-faith in different scientific conferences, workshops, project evaluations, think thank group meetings, etc. Besides, it was really appreciated all his unreserved commitments to establish, proliferate and strengthen Ethiopian Agricultural Research System at various stage of processes (supporting research, capacity building, technology generation, adoption and transfer) and regions. Now, I feel, his sudden death is really painful and heart-breaking news. We missed one of our great scientist. We express our deepest sorrow and condolences to his family, friends, working colleges and his working organization on behalf of myself and EARC/s.
We lost our icon Dr. Azage Tegegn!! I will never forget his kindness & he has been an inspiration to many of us. May God give him eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain.
Animal Breeding Researcher from Gondar ARC
FROM MOHAMMED JABBAR
FORMER ILRI SENIOR ECONOMIST
I have just learned with utmost sadness about the untimely death of Dr Azage Tegegne. He was not only an outstanding scientist producing high-quality research output; he cared about the ultimate use of ILRI research, especially for his home country. He spent his lifetime at ILRI in that endeavour. It is a great loss for Ethiopia and ILRI. My many years of association with him enriched me in many ways. I am sure his contributions to ILRI will be remembered for long. Please convey my sincere condolences to his family.
I am greatly saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Azage. During the nearly 12 years that I was the monitor of both the IPMS and LIVES projects we got to know each other very well. No matter how busy he was, he always found time to sit down and talk. The country has lost a great individual. My condolences to his family. Douglas Clements
Sad and shocking news about the loss of Dr Azage Tegegne! He is a rare “‘breed” of global livestock scientists. I always enjoyed a a good banter with Dr Azage and admired his sense of humour, his world-view and wit. I remember a conversation with him during his leaving party in Ethiopia June last year, he had so much more to contribute to science and to the world to make it a better place. I pray for his family during this difficult time.
Rest in peace Dr Azage, you have gone too soon!
Extetermly sad news for the nation and scientific community in Ethiopia. I fall short for words to express my grief on the sad demise of our beloved Dr. Azage. It will be difficult to count how he has assisted me in my career and has been a great mentor. I will always be thankful for guiding me on the right path. Indeed, a loss to many of us and the scientific community. A great human being, friendly and a fabulous teacher, we will miss you, sir! I count myself lucky for having had your mentorship. Rest In Peace Dr. Azage Tegegne
It’s sad to learn of the passing on of Dr. Azage Tegegne. He was a prolific writer. I came to know his name while working at ILRI InfoCentre through his publications well before I met him. His works will continue to be very useful to many researchers globally. My thoughts go to his family at this time off loss of a loved one. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
May God give Dr. Azage eternal rest.” “ I would like to express our sincere condolences” to you and your family.” “Words cannot express my sadness.
Heart broken news. Looking Dr. Azage in ethiopian live stock community was energy for experts at any level. His death leave Ethiopian Agriculture weak. He was the motor at ESAP conferences where i saw him frequently. ESAP should remeber his contribution in some permanent way. It could be by renaming its conference, procceding or journal.
እግዚአብሔር ነፍሱን በአፀደ ገነት ያኑርል
Tigist Mamo Bishaw – ex-colleague:
I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable loss of my dearest friend and ex-colleague, Azage. Azage was a wonderful friend! If I could sum Azage up in one word, it would be grace. He was incredibly thoughtful, helpful, unstinting in the amount of time and advice he was prepared to give! A great loss to all of us and the country!!! May his souls rest in peace! Tigist Mamo Bishaw,
Dr. Azege was a towering scientist who asks honest and tough scientific questions which make even a well-established scientist uncomfortable. My sincere condolence to his family, friends, and ILRI.
The news of Dr. Azage’s passing is a great shock to me. When I visited him in the hospital we had a good conversation and as usual he cracked jokes and this gave me confidence that he was well along the path of recovery. As many have already said, Dr. Azage has made profound contributions to ILRI’s research in particular and Ethiopian agricultural research in general. Dr. Azage was a friend to many and also an employee advocate. I will fondly remember him as an amazing person who captured memorable moments through his photography. He always walked with his hidden camera in his pocket and took spontaneous photos of us which he usually shared. He will be greatly missed and may the almighty rest his soul in eternal peace.
Aster Tsige
Senior Manager, People and Organizational Development
I was shocked to hear of Azage’s passing. ILRI and Ethiopia have lost a giant of the livestock community. His knowledge and understanding of the livestock sector in Ethiopia was unparalleled. He was dedicated to ILRI and to the development of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. Azage was always eager to enter into discussions that ranged from the practical to the philosophical. He would challenge ideas but always from a sound basis and always with good humour. When I moved to Addis in 2012, Azage was appointed as deputy DG’s Representative in Ethiopia and I relied on him as a wise advisor, as did many others over the years. The Addis campus and the Zebu Club will seem strange without him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
A very sad and shocking news!! I had such a pleasure collaborating with Dr Azage and his team on the LIVES project. His passion for his work and his commitment were inspiring. Rest In Peace Dr Azage. And my deepest condolences to your family.
Azage was a visionary who knew how to transport those around him from the ordinary to an elevated place of understanding. His wisdom reached far beyond animal science. He was a scientist of being human, and he was kind, patient, and gentle in the way he shared his insight.
When Azage spoke about education, his eyes lit up. He had a passion for educating the next generation. We frequently discussed ideas about how to ignite a passion for scientific learning among school children and budding scientists. It is hard to comprehend ILRI without Azage.
Rest in Peace! Very Sad.
It has been extremely difficult for me to accept this very sad news. I worked with Azage on major projects in ILRI, including the IPMS and LIVES projects. Loosing a friend, a colleague and a mentor in such a short period of illness is too shocking, in deed. He was an icon of new and innovative ideas in livestock research and development. It is a huge loss to the livestock research and development community. He has supervised many who are now distinguished researchers and leaders in livestock research and development, who should be able to continue with his dreams of modernizing livestock production.
Berhanu Gebremedhin
It was a shock to find out about Azage’s untimely passing away. I cannot remember when I was first introduced to Azage because he was always so warm and friendly that he seemed like an old friend. He was indeed always in great form and exuded immense charm. It was a treat to talk to him and find out about Ethiopian and African animal agriculture. I will miss not having him around ILRI. I join his family in their grief.
Chanda Nimbkar
ILRI Board member
FROM JORAM MWACHARO
This is very sad.
Azage was a great character to interact with professionally and socially. We called each other “Pastoralists” and we had our own language of communication which left everyone puzzled what we were talking about whenever we met. I enjoyed my interactions with him from the first day I knew him way back in 2000, when I first visited ILRI Addis.
May all who knew him be comforted during this period of grief…
FROM APPOLINAIRE DJIKENG
Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health and Professor and Chair for Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh (former director of the Biosciences eastern and central Africa-ILRI Hub)
Ah this is a shock. What a loss. Azage was a mentor to so many people, with a reassuring way of approaching any situation. I personally benefited and learned so much from Azage. May his soul rest in peace and his family and all his friends/colleagues be comforted to deal with this immense loss.
Azage used to introduce me to the visiting folks in Debre Zeit as “born in Argentina, raised in Germany, educated in Switzerland and civilised in Ethiopia”: He was my doctorate supervisor in Debre Zeit. He was the one, giving me confidence, optimism and scientific challenge through debates. Rapidly we became close friends. After work we used to meet in his home with Tsehay and the kids, or in Zuquala Hotel to debate with professors from the Faculty, or later in the Zebu club when he moved to Addis.He was the person I always went to meet on my returns to Africa. He was one of the most central personalities in my career. My heartfelt condolences go Tsehay and the children.
So sad. RIP
I am deeply shocked and sad to hear the demise of Azage, a great scientist and a dear colleague. I cannot believe this. What a great loss to all of us. I will not forget your passion for development and for fruit trees especially the tomato tree. Azage, I will miss your encouragement and great sense of humor when I visit ILRI campus.
Thanks for your immense contributions to science and the society in Ethiopia and the world.
Aster Gebrekirstos
It is shocking and sad to learn about the passing of Azage. He leaves behind a significant legacy as a person, scientist and friend that is at very core of ILRI´s values, principles and work. May he rest in peace.
Nancy and I are saddened by news of Azage’s passing. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family. And we join with Azage’s friends and colleagues in celebrating Azage’s life, a life filled by accomplishments and contributions. Many are well documented; others held fondly in our memories. One of my personal favorite memories:
1994: Dr. Azage in traditional Ethiopian white cotton explaining smallholder dairy research to EPCOT visitors at Disney World, Florida. The CGIAR centers had organized exhibits to promote benefits from international agricultural research. Most centers exhibited improved grains and other products from their research, but no animals were allowed by EPCOT. No cows, no problem! Azage was so popular with EPCOT visitors that the CGIAR Chairman invited Azage back to USA for encore presentation to CGIAR donors at World Bank headquarters in Washington. (My fellow Directors General were impressed, in fact envious, of attention Azage brought to importance of supporting livestock research).
Azage has been a great presence, both for his science and its practice. When working on CRP livestock and fish, he was always a strong challenger to make sure our work was meaningful for small farmers. We enjoyed many a long evening debating innovation systems, and I always left conversations feeling enriched. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family and to those in Addis who enjoyed his leadership at ILRI.
I know Azage and his wife Tsehay since I was a child. They were great parents for their children. Though I have very few memories with Azage. I remember the close frindship he had with my father professor Feseha Gebreabe. I really do feel I am lost part of my family. I know they did a great job of raising their children to carry on their names. we love you Azage and Tsehay. You will always be remembered for who you are to your friends and families.
saba feseha gebreab
It is really a shocking and devastating news to hear the death of the most renowned and an eminent scientist Dr Azage Tegegne. I know him in person and his fame and reputation since my freshman student of the then Alemaya Agricultural University in 1984, now Haramaya University to this date. I remember one memorable and astonishing event that he (Dr Azage) did shortly after he felt so much more satisfied on the way of the PhD candidate’s dissertation presentation and the capability of defending of all the examining bodies questions, Dr Azage was compelled to do something to experience his uncontrollable feelings of admiration of the candidate’s awesome performance by untying and taking off his necktie and then to give and tie back on the neck of the well defended PhD candidate as reward while Dr Azage was the chairman of the then candidate’s dissertation examining board members. It’s really a great loss for the country and especially for the livestock industries and communities. RIP.
A dedicated and exceptional scientist, colleague, mentor and friend who made great contributions to agricultural development in Ethiopia and globally and was always willing to give support and advice. Azage had so much more to offer and his experience, positive attitude and humor will be sadly missed. Although no longer with us, his legacy will continue through his contribution to smallholder livestock systems in Ethiopia and the many he mentored to continue in his footsteps. He was taken from us too soon and will always be in our memories and hearts. My condolences to his family and the ILRI family. Rest in peace my friend.
Feeling sad…
The Concert is over: Azage goes home!
When the conductor stops the music, even the maestro stops playing. This hurts….. Azage was my role model. I so adored him as a young graduate student at ILCA DZ station. All too soon, life’s music has come to a halt. His virtuoso of a professional life is worth all the accolades and more. We may not have a replay but the Azage legacy in the world of African livestock science will be unmatched for a long time to come. To every grieving heart, I leave you with a Hebrew saying :
Grieve not that Azage is no more; but rejoice that Azage once was. Adieu great friend, you played your part and you have now bowed out with standing applause. We will keep all we have of you, till we meet you again in your present form. As we say in Nigeria, ‘Good night, Azage Tegegne’
it is an international loss.
Dr Azage was a visionary scientist to move the livestock sector forward to be competitive in the globe. He put his effort to transform Andassa Livestock Research Center to be a sole livestock research institute in the country; and we will make its vision true. He also always talk to me to improve Fogera cattle and make it a flagship breed in Africa and the world. He will be in my heart forever.
Azagie, a man with big smile, wisdom and character, you will be missed by your family, friends and colleagues and the international scientific community at large, but you will be remembered for ever for your contribution to the scientific excellence. You were a great host and true friend receiving us with open arms particularly for those of us who are Ethiopians and facilitating the smooth transition during difficult times for ICARDA.
Dr. Azage (Senior livestock scientist) was an Icon for Ethiopia. His death is big loss. Rest in peace.
I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Dr. Azage. His contribution to the body of research, his determination to bring about positive change for farmers and staff, being a role model and mentor to many, coupled with his ability to engage people of all walks of life has left an indelible mark in the hearts of many of us. Dr. Azage, you will be greatly missed.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Dr.Azage’s Memorial
by his son Yeshwas Ferede
I still couldn’t believe Dr.Azage’s death!. It is a shocking and devastating indeed!. I feel that our country Ethiopia has lost its giant and farsighted scientist!. He was our father and professional icon. Our relationship was beyond a professional colleague, I always considered him as a Father and he also considers me as his son, too. I have attended various professional meetings with him; I always love to hear his voice while delivering a speech. Very recently, l was with him in a professional meeting held at Gondar, Ethiopia, late December/2019. He just suddenly sick while delivering a group speech, we all shocked by his sudden illness!. We were seriously following his emergency medical case at University of Gondar Referral Hospital. He was diagnosed with ‘’GIT sepsis and Hyperkalemia’’. He felt a progressive GIT cramp and pain on hip joint. After two days of emergency admission, his family took him to Addis. Until his death he was under ICU in Yerer Hospitla, Addia Ababa. We families and colleagues tried our best to save our father’s life! But we couldn’t!. Painful incident indeed!
Since 2012, I Knew Dr.Azage, when I was a junior Animal Health Researcher in Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI) based at Andassa Livestock Research Center. When Dr.Azage was LIVES project manager at ILRI, I won my MSc research fellowship on ‘’Magnitude and Determinants of Calf Morbidity and Mortality in Bahir Dar Milk-shed, North Western Ethiopia’ in 2013. During these times I have got the opportunity to be encouraged, advised and mentored. Following completion of my MSc degree, I have appointed as director of Andassa Livestock Research Center under ARARI in 2015. He was also my perfect mentor and technical advisor during my tough leadership times, I have learned ample knowledge, experience and wisdom from him. Among others, he was a panelist and prominent speaker in the occasion of ‘’Research Facility inauguration ceremony and Stakeholders workshop’’ held at Andassa Livestock Research Center, 05 August 2017 in the presence of the Amhara Regional President. He presented the Indian National Dairy Institute research experience and shared us his vision about Andassa: ‘’My Vision for Andassa is to be the best Livestock Research and Capacity Development Institute in Africa’’. Following his inspirational speech and guidance, the region formulated a scientific task force to develop an impactful project document to upgrade the center to a full-fledged Livestock Research and Training Institute. He was also our technical advisor during the development of the project document titled, Andassa Livestock Research and Training Institute (ALRTI).
He was a member of the Amhara Intellectuals council and leader of the Livestock Working group. His life time dedication, courage and professionalism for the betterment of livestock agriculture in Ethiopia in general and Amhara region in particular will never be forgotten!.
Let me finish my note by Dr.Azage’s last word delivered during his presentation ‘’ Retrospect’s and prospects of Livestock Research and Developments in Ethiopia’ at ESAP annual Conference/2019 held Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
‘’The past is all gone, and the only good thing about it is you learn from it’’ (Dr.Azage).
RIP our Hero and hope we will follow your bold foot prints and sustain your professional legacies!!
Yeshwas Ferede,
Bahir Dar University
It is realy very shocking news for me and feel so sad missing.a dear freind. Dr Azage was highly dedicated professtional and exceptionally vocal, experienced scientist. He has contributed a lot to the livestock sector from his researches. Our country has lost a very knowledgeabe and icon professtional in the area of livestock.
May God porovide condolences to his family and rest his soul in peace.
One of Azage’s characteristics that stands out in my memory was his determination to make the best of any opportunity that came his way. An early example of that was his successful internship at Disney World where he nurtured his exceptional communication skills. His talent for engaging with people of all backgrounds is recollected as a common feature of the many testaments to him that echo my own feelings. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and compatriots. Ralph von Kaufmann.
Azage, We miss all you already so much, rest in peace. You were unique, a rare breed, adapted and very successful as a scientist with knowledge, vision, strategy and wisdom. A rare breed by the kindness you showed to all. A rare breed by your sense of humour, only the greatest scientist have it…. My sincere condoleances to your family, you will always remain in our memory.
I am very shocked and very sad to hear the death of Dr Azage. I knew Dr Azage when I worked at ILRI, LIVES project. I was impressed all the time when I had a formal/informal discussion with him. I learned a lot from him . . . very interesting business ideas and models in the livestock sector. Really Dr Azage had all the qualities of a great colleague, mentor and leader.
May his sole rest in peace!
I have known Dr. Azage for close to two decades. Many of his colleagues in the field of animal sciences have provided their testimonies about his unrivaled expertise in that field of study. As a development professional, however, all I can say is that I was always impressed with Azage’s passion for rural agricultural development – often putting livestock at the centre of his intellectual engagement. He was such a talented ambassador for Ethiopia’s livestock industry.
Azage’s towering intellect has been recognised by many professionals beyond the research community. In late 2003, as part of a high-level, nation-wide deliberation on charting the future of food security in Ethiopia under the rubric New Coalition for Food Security, Azage’s name had been duly mentioned as one of the few high-powered Ethiopian agricultural professionals who could provide the necessary technical leadership to the resulting programmatic interventions.
At a more personal level, Azage was such a very helpful and generous friend, always eager to provide guidance on the range of substantive issues I have been tasked to deal with in the workaday world.
I am sure many of us who have young children attest to his enviable ability to relate to children of all ages – in pretty much the same way as a talented teacher, an accomplished grandfather or a closely involved uncle would normally do.
I miss Azage’s depth of knowledge on my country and its agricultural development potentials; his wit in social circles; and superb communication skills and style. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
I’m starting to believe we all die little by little with such losses. After I lost my dad, i treasured just seeing you around. I would feel like part of me, part of my dad still lingers near. It’s amazing how we sometimes take people in life for granted, like they will never leave. I can’t imagine you not being around… May you continue to live through the contributions you made for your country. You live in our hearts forever.
It is a shocking news to livestock owning households of nearly 90 millions Ethiopians to lose such a professional in the sector and certainly for the country too, he had done all to his best and may he rest in peace. I had enjoyed his good mentorship as a graduate student.
Yeshitila Admassu
Since I came to Know Dr. Azage, I found him sociable , knowledgeable and above all very supportive . His understanding of the agriculture and livestock sector in Ethiopia and beyond was so outstanding and impressive . I will always regret not taking the time to sit and talk to him and write something(personal and professional combined ). He was happy about the idea and was so willing to do that. Gone too soon!!!
It is with shock and great sadness that I received the news of Dr Azage’s passing. I still cannot believe that I will not be greeted with his generous smile and warmth at the Addis campus. I was guaranteed lots of cheer and jokes in every discussion I had with Dr Azage.
He was a unique individual combining the traits of being intellectually gifted, a great and much respected scientist, a leader, mentor and a person of charisma who lit up every conversation. He is greatly missed already.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
We are deeply saddened to hear the untimely passing of our good friend Azage. He was a wonderful scientist and collaborator who cared about research that benefits Ethiopia. We always liked his sense of humor and friendship. He will be missed immensely. May his soul rest in peace. Condolences to his family.
Very shocked to hear the sad news of the passing of Azage. I first met Azage in 1989 when he was a Post Doc Research Fellow based at ILCA Debre Zeit. I joined the team there at about the same time. It soon became obvious to me that he had all the qualities to become a great livestock scientist and leader. Caught up with Azage again in recent years when I became involved in dairy livestock pilot project in Eritrea. Recently, he greatly helped a team led by Teagasc in Ireland, to prepare a new dairy project modeled on the LIVES project in Ethiopia. This project was recently funded by EU Delegation Office in Asmara. On retirement from ILRI, Azage had agreed to give a considerable amount of his time helping to build the capacity of Institutions in Eritrea in support of small holder farmers. He had the opportunity to Visit Eritrea on 2 occasions since the border opened, the most recent being last November. One was struck by the warm reception he received in Eritrea. He knew many of the leaders in the Agri-sector in Eritrea including Minister Arefaine (Ministry of Agriculture) from the good old days at Alemaya University. In fact this week we had scheduled to meet Azage in Asmara to initiate this new project. Sadly this was not to be. We have lost a great friend of many years, a great leader and scientist and a great force for change to better the lot of resource poor people. We will deliver this new project in his memory.
I have been asked to pass on condolences to Azage’s family from Minister Arefaine, Azage’s many new friends in Eritrea and his new friends in Ireland
May he rest in peace.
Azage, for me, will always be remembered for sharing his wide ranging knowledge with a cheeky smile and laugh, generous with assisting colleagues and promoting change for sharing a good beer and chat usually outside the Zebu. Travel well my friend tread lightly and keep that smile.
Dr. Simon Langan, IWMI
Azage, was a true friend, mentor, and professional colleague. His intellect, incisive observations, humor, and practical kindness were genuine and ever-present. Having left ILRI a few years ago; I missed him a lot, even before hearing his untimely passing. I cherished and enjoyed every encounter I had with him. Now, the thought that he has left us for good is painful. His smile and ever kind words have left indelible imprints in my memories. I loved him dearly.
Azage had a quality where he always advocated for the causes and issues he cared about in a gentle and yet persistent manner. He easily earned the friendship and respect of all that knew him well because he was clear, consistent, and respectful when making his point on any issue – always smiling! I hope his legacy and the causes he cared about are moved forward by all who loved him, respected him, or shared his vision for a better Ethiopia, and a better world. May your soul rest in eternal peace
I have indepth knowledge about this great man of Africa since IPMS project implementation in 2013. We had first hormonal synchronization test at Bera Tedicho Kebele of SIDAMA zone, SNNPR. I really witness Dr Azage’s amazing holistic knowledge. He convinced us, organized regional team, trained and demonstrated us practically and also shown us the A-Z of estrus synchronization followed by mass synchronization at field in very simple and smiling manner. Because of the strong team he built, we were successful in an unbelievable manner which highly influenced the then regional/federal higher officials in very short period of time to open their eyes untapped potential of livestock sector in the region. Thanks Dr Azage because of your finger prints the SNNPR Livestock and Fisheries Bureau is still firm. Dr Azage is one the most influential charismatic scientist who convinced people to have a national organization that coordinates animal genetic improvement. Thanks to you National Animal Genetic Improvement Institute has been realistic and your visions and legacy will continue. We will act responsibly as your son Fitsum Azage yesterday in your mourning ceremony remembered us your advise to him ” always be smile but act responsibly”. Your words are always one and the same be it at your family or work place. This also ignited me to remember one of your slides in your conference presentation: ”No silver bullet, just do the right thing and do it right!! When it comes to reproductive management and estrus synchronization, the things you do well do not compensate for the mistakes you make.
Instead, the mistakes you make cancel out all the things you do well. So, strictly stick to the protocol and pay attention to details!!”
This is always your bit of advise at the end of launching workshop of Estrus synchronization followed by mass insemination. We will act accordingly Dr Azage.
May your soul rest in peace.
You are always in hearts of all Ethiopian livestock scientists, professionals, students, researchers, farmers and investors.
We at GIZ Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture Project (NSAP) are shocked with the sad news of the passing away of Dr. Azage Tegegne. Dr. Azage was a highly respected collaborator and a dear friend to all of us. We benefitted a lot from his wisdom and mentorship. We would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.
Gabriele Schulz
Goodbye good friend. I am glad I met you after many years and had a chance to have a beer and few laughs at the Zebu Club last year. And all the anedocts we remembered about our work and not. I still have your voice and your enthusiasm about your projects in my ears, difficult to forget. I learned a lot from you, about Ethiopia, its people, and its needs. And how what we were working on at ILRI had to be relevant to Ethiopian farmers. I will miss you very much.
Ercole Zerbini
I was shocked to hear of Azage’s passing. ILRI and Ethiopia have lost a giant of the livestock sector. He served his country and the people who depend on its livestock as an outstanding researcher and teacher. He was dedicated to the cause of improving livestock production, improving the lives of people who depend on livestock and teaching the next generation. When travelling in Ethiopia it seems everyone you meet was his former student. When I moved to Addis in 2012, Azage was appointed as Deputy DG’s Representative in Ethiopia. I came to rely on him as a wise advisor, as did many people from friends to colleagues and ministers, and often sought his advice. He always brought a fresh perspective to a problem, and his advice was always practical. However discussions in the Zebu Club ranged from the practical to the philosophical. The ILRI campus and the Zebu Club will seem strange without him. My condolences to his family at this difficult time.
R.I.P!, I heard your death “Dr. Azage Tegegne” Lately, I feel sorry, our country lose you!
I was in shock to hear of Dr Azage’s passing. The world has lost a formidable scientist. My the Almighty God rest his soul internal peace.
Very Sad. No words