Lady Veronica honoured

LADY Veronica Somare was the hand that steadied Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare through his 49 years of public service, from self-government to political independence, says Prime Minister James Marape.
“Lady Somare, you were our country’s fitting first lady, you were the great grand chief’s dearest friend, companion and soul mate,” he said.
“I pay respect to you on behalf of our people and country.
“We cannot thank you enough for your steady hands that steadied our grand chief, who in turn was able to steer our country safely to national sovereignty in 1975.”
Marape described Sir Michael as an extraordinary man who grew up in East New Britain, went to school and worked in East Sepik, Central, Morobe and Madang.
“The grand chief was a man who lived beyond his time,” he said.
“He was a man who united young leaders of our nation.”
Marape said Sir Michael united the country while living and united the country during his death.
“In life, he united our nation and in his death, he united our nation,” Marape said.
“I appeal to all Papua New Guineans: let us rally our moral conscience for national unity and put PNG first.
“May the unity Sir Michael has able to bind us together unite this nation of a thousand tribes for a greater course – economic independence that he saw for our people.”
Rain poured over the Sir Hubert Murray stadium as Sir Michael’s casket left the arena after the funeral service.
“This is a symbolic indication that he is about to depart and nature, just like the country, is crying,” Marape said.

Grand chief was a true believer, man of integrity: Sir John

CATHOLIC Archbishop of Port Moresby Cardinal Sir John Ribat has described Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as a true believer, a man of integrity and faith.
In his funeral service sermon at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium on Friday, Sir John said: “As I came to know Sir Michael, I enjoyed getting to know the joy and enthusiasm which he lived out his faith, not only in politics but also in his life.”
He said Sir Michael knew his true values.
“He did not conceal his faith, publicly acknowledging his faith in Jesus Christ,” Sir John said.
“From the founding father of PNG, (we) often heard those words of faith that he put into action.”
“Sir Michael believed that independence should make every one strive to be better and have unified lives.”
Sir John said Sir Michael experienced hate from some people but knew that he belonged to God.
He said life would change for the family as the big figure had been taken from them.
“But I assure you of our prayers and continuing support over the many difficult and challenging days that are to come,” Sir John said.

Sir Michael described as a man ahead of his time

FORMER Justice minister and attorney-general Sir Arnold Amet has described Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as a “man ahead of his time”.
He said Sir Michael stood “shoulder to shoulder with world’s great leaders” such as South African President Nelson Mandela and American human rights activist Martin Luther King Jr in his accomplishments.
“We can compare this gentle giant to these great leaders,” Sir Arnold said, recalling Independence Day on Sept 16, 1975.
“I was a 22-year-old final-year law student and the student representative council president at the University of PNG at that time.
“I was invited to witness PNG’s flag being raised for the first time in this arena (Sir Hubert Murray Stadium).
“It was here 45 years ago that a young audacious 39-year-old Sepik man dared to unite a fragmented people of a thousand tribes into a nation.”
Sir Arnold said Sir Michael possessed some characters similar to Joseph, Moses and David in the Bible.
“The length of significance, breadth of impact and depth of character of his life in our nation’s short history is nothing short of miraculous,” he said.
“The significance of his life and the impact he has made on the lives of every Papua New Guinean is absolutely unparalleled.”
Sir Arnold said the tributes and people’s overwhelming sign of respect and mourning over Sir Michael were fitting for the “paramount chief” of the nation.
“There can only be one such paramount chief in our lifetimes and our nation’s history,” he said.

Nation’s first PM farewelled in country’s oldest stadium

THE oldest stadium in the country was the venue where men, women and children bade farewell to the man they call the “father of the nation” at a state funeral on Friday.
They braved the sun and later the rain at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium to farewell Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
Strict Covid-19 protocols were imposed but some who were not allowed in broke down the fence and rushed in to be part of the funeral service.
Lady Veronica, who has been sick and kept under strict care at home, arrived to the wailing and clapping of those in attendance.
As Sir Michael’s casket was brought in, people cried openly.
Archbishop Cardinal Sir John Ribat who led the mass referred to Sir Michael as a man who held strong to the Catholic faith up to his last day.
Youngest daughter Dulciana Somare-Brash, in a eulogy, described her father as a “protector and patriarch” of the family.
“Prime Minister James Marape said it best when he described my father as a bulldozer in politics and we always said that our mother was the gear that guided him,” she said.
Former Bougainville president Dr John Momis said Sir Michael laid the foundation of what the country was built on.
National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop said a “Sir Michael Somare Peace and Unity Park” would be built in his memory.
“Sir Michael united the country,” he said.
“He continued to do so in the years after his political career had ended.
“His name will be synonymous with our Independence.”