Sir Michael loved our country

AT this time of mourning for Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, I want to reflect on how I came to meet this great man of our time.
I met Sir Michael in 1982, as a candidate for the Gumine open electorate.
The country had an election five years after Independence and Somare was the household name in the country.
He still is.
I knew his name but I had never seen him in person until the 1982 general election in Omkolai, Gumine, for his candidate late John Mua Nilkare’s rally as an endorsed Pangu candidate. It was at that podium I took the mic from the master of ceremony and declared to the people of Gumine to vote Sir Michael’s candidate and asked Sir Michael and his candidate to put PNG first.
The chief’s response was: “I will always put PNG first”.
Upon that statement, his candidate for Chimbu regional won the 1982 election and they formed the government.
Sir Michael lived by his word and has united the nation by putting PNG first.
As a young man, I have witnessed the roles Sir Michael played as a public figure and the father of the nation to his death.
He lived by his principles, just as what Moses did with the Jews in Exodus.
I thank Lady Veronica for her strong support to the father of the nation, you have been a blessing to him and the nation.
To the family, I wish to extend my condolences on behalf of the people of Gumine.

Paul Baulin Ninkama,
Gumine,
Chimbu