A grand chief of East Sepik

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
IT had been raining cats and dogs the previous night which continued into the morning of Sept 16, 2016.
The country’s 41st Independence Day programme in Wewak, East Sepik was scheduled to start at 7.30am. In fact, activities in the town had begun two days earlier.
By 9am, people and school children had gathered at the Sir Michael Thomas Somare Stadium. Red, black and gold were the colours of the day.
Children in school uniforms and soldiers from Moem Barracks holding a parade.
East Sepik Governor Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was celebrating Independence Day with his people for the last time as their governor. He retired from politics before the 2017 general election.
“Your commitment and loyalty to me as your leader has not escaped me or my family. We value the responsibility you have placed on my shoulders for many years. I urge all Sepiks to harness the goodness and capabilities within you and make it work for the betterment of your family, community, province and nation.”
He bowed to his people to thank them for their unending support for him but reminded all “I am not going anywhere. Sepik is my home and I will be around to watch our province progress under the new guard.
“Ceremonies like this one make up an important part of the lives of human beings. Occasionally it is important to ask ourselves: What is there to celebrate? What am I doing here? What is my purpose in life?
“I don’t really have the answers to these important questions but I can say to you that I was not a “save man” (knowledgeable person) many years ago.
“When Sir Pita Lus called me to come join him in politics in 1967, I had no idea that 41 years later, I would still be standing here. I was just a teacher and broadcaster when I began.
“Sir Pita was a confident young Sepik man who believed his people were equal in capacity to any human being. He was not wrong.”
He told the Sepik people that “with very little knowledge, we led the people of East Sepik and Papua New Guinea without really knowing where this journey would take us”.
Since then, many people in the province had excelled in life.
“Apart from doctors, lawyers and accountants, we have Sepiks who have success stories in agriculture, real estate, construction and other trades and professions.”
Sir Michael told them that 41 years earlier, parents had asked him what would happen to them now after the white men leave after independence. Who is going to fly the planes, attend to sick children and run businesses?
He assured them: “Our children will.”
“God has given us the power to do great things in our lives. We must not sit around like our pet dog or cat and wait for food and other offerings to be provided to us.
“Take ownership. Do things so that your family, community, province can be proud of you. Importantly, it will empower you.
“Sir Pita Lus and I have been around to see changes that many young people today take for granted. We will not be around forever but I encourage you today to look after our province. Your future is in your hands.”
The people of East Sepik will miss the man who brought them so many things to be proud for.