Sir Michael was a unique leader

I CONVEY my sincere condolences on behalf of my wife and family to Lady Veronica and the children of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
I am saddened as I had lost a person who was not only a friend, but a brother.
He is someone I call family.
I knew Sir Michael back then when he was in university.
We organised a protest march against dual public servants’ salary when the colonial administration imposed it.
We were disappointed that Papua New Guineans were given the lowest range pay and Sir Michael was part of the leaders’ group with other visionary leaders, many of whom have passed on as well.
From then on, we became close friends, entered parliament and continued that relationship.
My relationship with Sir Michael had remained strong over the years and he visited me in the village whenever he was in East New Britain.
We always talked about so many good things.
We talked about how far we came.
His death is a great loss to Papua New Guinea.
I look at Sir Michael as a completely different person.
He loved everybody and he knew so many people.
The nation has lost a great father, one that cannot be replaced.
Sir Michael was full of wisdom.
He was friendly, honest and was a father to all.
He was different to all other prime ministers that came after him.
The character that made him a different and unique person will be greatly be missed.
He has left politics but his wisdom and insights will never be forgotten.
Sir Michael was the one that decided that PNG should have its independence rather than wait.
While there were other groups that said PNG should wait, Sir Michael said that if we waited, we would never make it.
He said we just had to make it.
None of the leadership that we have now has come up to that level as Sir Michael and I think that this is something that we need to cultivate.
We need leaders to meet his standard.
I urge our young leaders today to work hard to have humility and the kind of character that Sir Michael had.

Sinai Brown,
Former Gazelle MP