EDUCATION – The National

Ambum leaders thank Ipatas

From Left to right: Louis Yandeken LLB, Principal of Yandeken Lawers (in red tie), Stella Tukulya – master’s degree holder and first assistant secretary Department of Transport, Sir Peter Ipatas, Jude Tukulya – deputy managing director of Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, Kunalin tribal paramount chief Michael Managal and Dr Londari Yamataka –senior economics lecturer at the PNG University of Technology.

By PHILIP KEPSON
EDUCATED elites from the major Kunalin tribe in Ambum valley, Enga Province, have held a “milestone ceremony” to recognise Governor Sir Peter Ipatas’ exceedingly successful education policy.
All of them, now professionals in their respective fields: Jude Tukulya – deputy managing director of Conservation Environment Protection Authority, Dr Londari Yamataka –senior economic lecturer at UNITEC, Stella Tukulya – master’s degree holder and first assistant secretary Department of Transport, Louis Yandeken LLB – Principal of Yandeken Lawyers and four other professionals, had started their humble beginning at the less known Sikiro community school in the early 1990s.
Luckily, they became the pioneers to benefit from Sir Peter Ipatas’ home-grown “free education policy” after the leader, who is known widely as Action Governor, got elected into office as political head of the province.
Currently justified professionals, unwaveringly committed well over K100, 000.00 to put up a traditional ceremony at their Sikiro Catholic Church grounds last week Thursday.
This was exclusively meant to say “thank you” to Sir Peter who had shouldered their school fees through the policy from community to university learning institutional level.
Among the highlights of the occurrence include slaughtering of more than 20 pigs, tying of 20 live pigs, preparation of guests’ meals and cake to add extra colour at the “blessed Sisters’ Convent”.

Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas being welcomed at Sikiro Catholic Church ground in the Ambum valley, during a special ceremony which was hosted by educated elites from the area to recognise his mostly successful free education policy.

An elegantly planned round house was built as part of the package to accord the recognition they felt Sir Peter deserved unquestionably for their upbringing.
Jude in his welcoming remarks said: “All of us seated here would have been nothing had our greatest leader not introduced the free education policy.
“Thank you Sir Peter Ipatas for the commendable job you have done to the children of Enga who had benefited from your visionary leadership.
We are among the many that you have carved to be what they are today.
“In fact, this occasion marks an important decision that you made with the helping hand of God.
“We felt it was only correct to recognise your vision which God has instilled in you to rescue our simple people through their childrenfrom the ensuing socio-economic doldrums.
“Thank you once again and all the best in your future endeavours to fight even harder to get what is rightly for the people of this province,” he said.
Dr Yamataka, Louis, Stella and others have expressed similar sentiments to mark the event that was widely described as the “first of its kind in the province”.
Sir Peter, who was apparently stunned by the extraordinary organisation of the feast, thanked the hosts for putting up something which he did not expect.
“Thank you my children. This is historic. I never expected this.
“In fact, when I first announced the free education policy 25 years ago, reaping a PhD seemed out of reach but I am happy to see a doctor (in philosophy) seated here.
“He is the fruit of what we have sowed, thank God,” he said.
Leaders of the sub clans have thanked Sir Peter for the free education policy from which their children had emerged to be glaringly respected professionals.

Highlander on a ferry

By LORRAINE BASSE
GUESS I am a highlander through and through but have the face of a meri nambis.
Well, you see I am blaming my parents for birthing and bringing me up in the cool climate of Goroka in Eastern Highlands.
Fast forward three decades and migrating to the capital just recently, I had my first ferry ride experience to the beautiful and scenic Loloata Island Resort, all thanks to the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) PNG country office team bonding.
It was on March 24, 2022. It took us 30 minutes from the city and then another mesmerising and memorable 15 minutes of ferry ride to the resort. We were greeted with the breathtaking view of the resort as the ferry was making its way through the calm sea. I had mixed emotions but had to pretend that all was well and sat on the top deck to get the clear view of mainland Port Moresby.
Upon arrival at the resort, the UNCDF team were ushered to the front desk for reservations. After that we changed into our shorts and hiked up the hill. The hiking left all of us drenched in sweat but rejuvenated, so we all jumped into the pool to cool off with a game of volleyball.
Yes, you guessed right! I can’t even swim. So, the only logical thing to do was to wait for my colleagues to go in first so I could see where the water was compared to their height. Luckily, I was tall enough to not drown so I joined them.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and it was already time to come back to mainland Port Moresby.
The team bonding has really helped us to reflect on our strengths and work on our weaknesses to outline actions needed to continue to grow as a team.
UNCDF PNG team has a big task ahead, with the launch of our PNG Inclusive Digital Economy Accelerator (IDEA) strategy in 2021 that focuses on creating a digital financial environment that leaves no one behind in the digital era.
UNCDF makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.