After early setbacks, Moses tastes success

By ZACHERY PER
MOSES Namagileso, 40, has experienced failure a lot of times early in life.
He unsuccessfully tried three times – in the 2007, 2012 and 2017 general elections – to become the Eastern Highlands Governor. Others beat him to it
In school, he three times failed to pass the Grade 10 examination – in 1987, 1999 and 2004.
But things have since been slowly turning around for him.
He was 33 in 2014 when tried again – and final passed the Grade 10 exam.
This month, he even graduated with a Bachelor in Tourism Management degree at the University of Goroka.
Family members, parents, his five children, friends and relatives applauded Moses, they nicknamed Ten Kiloa, when he walked up to the stage to receive his degree at the University of Goroka at the National Sports Institute hall on Friday July 2.
“From being a failure in education, I have now succeeded, despite all the hardship, struggle and criticisms I faced in life. I encourage young people to always aim high and strive for the best to achieve your dreams.”
Moses is from Safayufa village, Unggai-Bena district in Eastern Highlands.
He completed grades one to six from 1988 to 1993 at the Sigerehi Primary School.
From 1994 to 1997, he went through grades seven to 10 at the Rintebe High School in Unggai-Bena. But he had to leave school that final year when his dad passed away.
“Due to my father’s death in 1997, I left school.”
But in 1999, he re-enrolled in Grade 10. He again failed the exam. He returned to the village to farm the land.
In 2004, he decided to return to school at the Tairora High School in Obura-Wonenara district. He repeated Grade 10 but again failed the exam.
He returned home dejected and continued farming to survive.
In 2014, Moses decided to return to school again. He enrolled in Grade 10 at the Benabena Secondary School in Unggai-Bena district. This time, he passed.
“I did well in the exams and was selected for upper secondary education.”
He never looked back, completing Grade 12 in 2016.
In 2017, he was accepted at the University of Goroka to pursue a degree programme. So he was a very happy man when he received his degree.
He plans to serve his family, community, province and country using his degree. He plans to pursue post-graduate studies in future.
On graduation day, he thanked his family, friends, fellow students, teachers, university lecturers, politicians and the Government for their contributions in one way or another towards his success.
“Only through sheer determination and commitment can one succeed in education.”
He encourages children not to give up or lose focus on their education.
On his political pursuits, Moses finished fifth in the 2007 contest for the Eastern Highlands Regional seat. He also finished in the top five in 2012 won by Julie Soso. In 2017, he finished fourth behind Peter Numu.
But he has no plans yet for the 2022 general election.
“Dreams will remain dreams until one starts pursuing them to become a reality. God bestowed on us blessings. But the onus is on us to fulfill them. Trust in God and He will complete the rest for us.”