Kila succumbs to heart attack

HENRY Kila, PNG’s first internationally qualified insurer and insurance broker and a leading sports personality, has died. He was 58.
Mr Kila died at about 2am yesterday from an acute heart attack brought on by clogged arteries and diabetic condition at the Port Moresby Private Specialist Medical Centre, his son, Guy, said.
He left behind wife Sandy Masau and sons Guy and Emmanuel, in-laws Janet and Trinnett, grand children Lawrence, Cassandra and Solomon, his mother Avia, brother Jack and sisters Joan, Ruth and his in-laws and their children.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare expressed sadness after learning of the passing of Mr Kila.
“Mr Kila’s passing is a great loss to the business community and the sporting fraternity of PNG.
“PNG has lost a good man of very humble demeanor,” Sir Michael said.
“I have found Mr Kila to be a very constructive partner in developing a healthy relationship between the private sector and the National Government,” he said.
He also acknowledged Mr Kila’s contribution in promoting the Australia-PNG relations.
Close friend and deputy Opposition leader Bart Philemon described him as a trail-blazer in insurance industry for 40 years, a major player in sporting development and a key stakeholder in business development helping to nurture the business council from infant stages to its current dominant presence.
“We have lost a true nationalist, an unhailed statesman and definitely an outstanding Papua New Guinean unparalleled in private sector involvement,” he said.
A member of the Apec Advisory Council representing PNG, Mr Kila was a founding member (since 1995) and president from 2006 of Business Council of PNG, managing director of South Pacific Insurance Advisors Ltd.
He was president of PNG Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee (2000-03) and capped an illustrious involvement in diverse sporting codes such as softball, rugby league and rugby union including a stint as a commissioner with PNG Sports Commission around September 2003.