PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has described the late Sir Joseph Nombri as an eminent Papua New Guinean, who served his nation selflessly and always with humility and dignity as a pioneer public servant, diplomat and statesman.
Sir Michael, in a tribute to Sir Joseph, who died on Monday after a long battle with malignant cancer, said: “The late Sir Joseph was a close friend and an ally in pre-independence political activism, firstly with the infamous Bully Beef Club and later with Pangu Pati, which Sir Joseph served as the first president.”
Sir Michael, who visited the Nombri home yesterday, said Sir Joseph was an exemplary Papua New Guinean who never asked for what his country could do for him but always strived to do his best for his people and his country.
He said that as a patrol officer in the colonial administration and later as a district commissioner, public service commissioner and as an ambassador overseas, Sir Joseph was a man who showed firmness of leadership and discharged his public duties with the highest integrity.
“Lady Veronica and I join Sir Joseph’s family in their time of mourning and bereavement for a man we were privileged and honoured to count as a very close family friend.
“Sir Joseph lived a simple, down to earth life after his retirement from active public service. He will be remembered as a great Papua New Guinean statesman,” Sir Michael said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a funeral service will be held at the St Joseph’s Catholic church next Monday at 10am for Sir Joseph.
His body will be flown the next day to Kundiawa, Simbu, where he will lay state at the Kondom Agaundo building in Kundiawa for relatives and friends and colleagues to view and pay their respects.
He will be laid to rest at his Wagl village on Wednesday.