District honours hard work

By GYNNIE KERO
ABOUT 80 people from Southern Highlands are expected to receive a special medal for their services to the country during the independence anniversary celebrations at Walume on Monday.
They include teachers, pastors, councillors, magistrates, police, Correctional Services officers and entrepreneurs – a cross-section of people from the community but who have put in extra effort in the community.
Imbonggu MP Pila Niningi, who travelled to the district yesterday, said their anniversary programme was “set”.
It is understood that some Cabinet announcements are going to be made at Imbonggu during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Honours presentations by Sir Michael Somare.
Niningi told The National that the district anticipated a big turnout.
He added that a government delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister Davis Steven was expected to attend.
He noted that an important aspect of the programme was to properly farewell Sir Michael, who had stepped out of the national political arena in 2017.
Niningi, who felt obliged to host a proper farewell for Sir Michael in his electorate said: “He was the one who endorsed me for the first time to stand for election when I was a law student at UPNG.
“I actually went to his office and met him.
“Sir Michael was a Pangu Pati man and so I ran under Pangu.”
In a recent video message from Australia, Sir Michael said: “Thank you people of Imbonggu and your MP Pila Niningi.
“I endorsed him (Niningi) to run for election when he was still new and I was also new.
“I am happy to be with you on Sept 16 to celebrate our 44th Independence.”