Sir Michael’s life demonstrates respect

The National Weekender
TRIBUTE

Dulciana Somare-Brash speaking during a candlelight vigil to remember the life of late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in Port Moresby on Monday. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

By PETER ESILA
PEOPLE must not forget about an important virtue, to respect one and another in life says Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape, during the candlelight vigil to celebrate late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare first death anniversary in Port Moresby on Monday, said with all the societal issues faced in the country, it was important to learn from Sir Michaels life and contributions.
“He respected his wife Lady Veronica.
“May this day, forever be honored as a date in which Somare will be remembered for his contributions to our country.
“Somare is Papua New Guinea and Papua New Guinea is Somare.
“He stood in total grace, kindness, humility, tolerance; he respected men and women from all parts of the country.
“He united what was the most diverse nation on earth.”
He said in his last encounter with the late Grand Chief, Sir Michael invited him to his home, and took him into his inner sanctum where Lady Veronica was resting. He walked on ahead and sat at the back of his wife Lady Veronica and said Mr. Prime Minister, keep your wife, keep our daughter, your female in your country closest in your heart, we can never be a great country if men in this country do not respect the women among us.
“Papua New Guineans must give respect to women in our country, for he gave respect to Lady Veronica all the way.
“As we recollect the greatest son to have ever lived in the county who upheld the virtues of respecting first and foremost, the number one woman in his life, his wife, and that every daughter of our land, we can do so much better for our country going forward, if that remains the number one calling of every son of our country, for Somare was the number one son in our country.
“If we want our country to be truly great, our wife, daughters, girls, female in the country must be protected at all cost.
“PNG can never be great if the women and daughter, wives are insecure in our country, that is the take home message I took, in the very last time I sat with him.
“He was a faithful husband, the message came big and clear to me, the message of unity must start at home, family, more importantly keeping our daughters safe,” Marape said.
Sir Michael lived for 84 years, 56 of which was dedicated to the formation and nurturing of this country until his passing on Feb 26, last year.