Be proud of your native surnames

I STRONGLY urge our people to stop using fo­reign surnames because they are destroying their birth right and national identity by creating a confu­sing legacy for their children.
Those with native surnames will clearly identify and relate to their land, cultural groups and are readily accepted by people.
Those registered with foreign surnames are making a serious mistake and the Office of Civil Registration should not issue birth certificates to them.
Use of native surnames has many benefits, including effective identification of criminal elements or re­patriation of rightful claimants, loyalty payments, scholarships, passport, visa, citizenship, the right to stand for public office and improved em­ployment prospect.
I accept the likes of Peter O’Neill, Peter Hum­phreys, Sam Basil, Jack Cameron, Ken Fairweather, Charles Abel and Ted Kennedy or even James Wanjik, Fe­delis Semoso, Jim Kas, Philip Jiregari, Dany Gu­ka, Peter Ramsden because when you put faces to these names you can quickly identify them.
Our role models such as Sir Michael Somare, John Momis, Sir John Kaputin, Sir Ebia Olewale, Paias Wingti and many more are well-ex­posed natives, who have maintained their identities.
Represent this special, unique country just like any other – be it Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Malay­sian, Filipino, Thai or African – who are able to adopt and adapt to global changes without changing their identities or their unique native names.

Samson Chicki
Port Moresby