Sir Michael was a good neighbour

WE were neighbours when Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was chief minister and achieved Independence in 1975.
In the neighbourhood back in the 1970s, Sir Michael’s residential area and backyard at Kreer Compound, Wewak, was well set.
There were botanical gardens with special plants and flowers and unique orchids.
The environment spoke highly of him and his young family as I watched at the age of 7, the beginning of a great leader and a great family.
We were always there at that time as family friends and at times, Lady Veronica would come out of the house to collect fallen carrot mangoes.
In the window, I would see her and go out calling: “Aunty, I can climb for you” and she would respond: “Oh, thank you pikinini”.
Sana and Dulciana would rush out of the house with sweet cakes and share with me and my family.
My mother, Christine Wagia, at times would share fruits and vegetables with them and my father, Bruno Wagia, an orderly at Boram Hospital, would give first aid treatment to the Somare family when they were sick and requested medicine.
One thing I know about Sir Michael and his family is that there is no discrimination of high class and small simple people.
They can relate well to all people.
Sir Michael’s former school Brandi Secondary School, reached 50 years in 2005 when I was the chairman.
I invited Sir Michael, who was the prime minister at that time.
He officiated for the 50 years golden jubilee anniversary.
In 2008, Sir Michael was touring the nation, celebrating his 40 years in politics.
It was June 2008 Queen’s Birthday weekend when all students in East Sepik, from elementary school students to Passam National High School and Kaindi Divine Word University Campus, were camping at Munji village, Yangoru-Saussia.
The timing was right as I was the chairperson of the Sepik Student’s Christian Association.
I invited Sir Michael to the camp through his protocol officer, John Nawa (an elder of Munji village).
Though his schedule to the province was very tight, Sir Michael responded quickly and turned up at the camp on a Sunday. Sir Michael spoke humbly to the students.
The students, although residing in East Sepik, were in different colours and from different parts of Papua New Guinea.
As I recall, Sir Michael’s message to the students was: “You must have a dream, obey your teachers, your parents and your elders and work hard”.
In 2009, I invited Sir Michael who was still prime minister, to officiate the 50-year golden jubilee for Mandi Primary School outside Wewak town. Mandi village is significant to Sir Michael and Lady Veronica.
Sir Michael was a radio broadcaster in Wewak and he used to take a film projector to Mandi village to show movies to the people.
Every time, Lady Veronica, a young lass from Murik, would go and stay with an aunt in the village to meet Sir Michael.
Sir Michael and Lady Veronica built and enhanced their relationship until they got married.
I remember the Mandi community building a new “meeting haus” for the programme.
I was with Sir Michael throughout the programme.
Chatting and looking at the new house design, Sir Michael said to me: “At home, I would build a “haus win” beside a river where there are trees and green grass and enjoy the local breeze”.
Then Sir Michael took the first sip from his plastic cup of cordial served by Lady Veronica and with a smile, he gave me half of his cordial and I drank.
I did not realise that moment that the prime minister gave me half of his cordial until sometime later after the programme ended.
Sir Michael was a true father to all Papua New Guineans.
His legacy will live on through all those he touched locally, nationally and globally.

Clement Wagia,
8-Mile 2nd Block,
NCD