TRIBUTE

Humble giant of faith

AREADY smile on a kind gentle face, soft spoken, humble and gracious are some of the words many people used to describe this mighty servant of God. To the many who knew him throughout the country and overseas, this man embodied the qualities spoken of by the Master Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, it seems the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5: 22 to 23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control) were evident in the life of this man. Rev Sir Samson Lowa was truly one of a kind!
Samson Lowa was born in Galilo Village, Hoskins, West New Britain on Aug 15, 1949 to father Aisoli Kaveu, and mother Alis Gauru Marisa.
From 1958 to 1962, he attended Galilio Primary, and then in 963, the primary ‘T’ school in Talasea. Secondary schooling took him in 1964 to Malabunga Junior High School, East New Britain, and then to Keravat High School from 1965 to 1967.

After graduating from secondary school, Sir Samson completed a Diploma in Secondary Teaching at the Goroka Teachers College (now University of Goroka), from 1968 to 1970.
He began his teaching career soon after. However, it was not long before he would divert from his vocational calling in secular teaching to pursue fulltime Christian ministry, in response to the call of God upon his life.
The teaching career of Sir Samson saw him from 1971 to 1974 at Boisen and Malabunga High Schools in ENB. In 1975, he was appointed professional assistant Operations – Secondary at the Department of Education, Port Moresby.
Life-chaing encounter
Then, in 1976, he was appointed headmaster at Utu High School, New Ireland. At that time, Sir Samson had a life-changing encounter with the Lord. He explained it in his own words thus: “I attended a youth convention at Kimadan in New Ireland where I was converted and was instantly called to serve the Lord through the scripture in 1 Timothy 6:11: ‘But you O man of God, flee these things and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness’.”
Resigning public service job
This experience saw him resign from the Education Department in 1977 and enter formal Bible training. In 1978, he graduated with a Diploma in Divinity at the Rarongo Theological College, ENB. His ministry experience commenced with his appointment as chaplain at George Brown High School, ENBP from 1979 to 1981. In February to May, 1980, he did itinerant preaching at the South East Presbytery (Coorong), Australia. In 1982, he became associate pastor at Rabaul Memorial Church, and from 1983 to 1985, was associate secretary at World Mission Board Mission of NSW Synod of the Uniting Church of Australia (UCA).
In 1986, he was secretary at Malmaluan Christian Education and Communication Centre, ENB. 1987 to 1988 saw him become superintendent minister and minister of Rabaul Memorial Church.
Sir Samson then returned to the teaching profession, this time in the church. In 1989, he was associate principal at Dauli Teachers College, Southern Highlands. From 1991 to 1993, he was principal at Gaulim Teachers College, ENB.
He moved back to the city in 1994 to be chaplain at the University of Papua New Guinea, and then from 1995 to 1998, was minister at the Boroko
United Church (now Rev Sione Kami Memorial Church-RSKMC).
It was from RSKMC that Sir Samson was appointed moderator of United Church in Papua New Guinea, from 1999 to 2012, making him the longest serving moderator.
Sir Samson inherited a church that was steeped in debt. In fact, with the creditors all knocking at the door as soon as he began his appointment, he told of how he was prepared to go to jail on behalf of the church.
“I told them as the head of the church just coming in at this time, I suppose the buck stopped with me. If someone had to pay for the mess, I was willing to make the sacrifice on behalf of the church. Thankfully, God sent a special couple my way, respected accountants, who mapped a way forward for the church to slowly repay all her financial obligations.”
By God’s grace, that happened, and the church’s dignity was restored.
After his term ended when he stepped down on Oct 7, 2012, Sir Samson handed over a financially strong and healthy church to his successor, current moderator Rev Bernard Siai.
Recalled from retirement
After a two- year stint at home in retirement, Sir Samson was called up by the RSKMC to be their senior minister. He took up the role in 2014 until his term expired on Dec 10, 2017 – closing 40 years of pastoral ministry.
Sir Samson and Lady Jessie Lowa left Port Moresby on Feb 20, 2018, for his Galilo Village.
While there, he recently was invited to conduct a wedding at Ukarumpa in Eastern Highlands. It was there that he suffered a fatal heart attack and passed on to glory!
So ended a colourful and illustrious life. Sir Samson, who was awarded the Order of British Empire (OBE) in 2004, and the Knight of the British Empire (KBE) in 2010, remained humble and down to earth all his life.
Despite travelling widely overseas for conferences and training, as well as pastoral attachments, and being on multiple boards of trustees in the country, Sir Samson was easy to get along with and friendly with everyone – young and old alike.
As the septuagenarian passed away less than two months shy of his 71st birthday, the church mourns his passing and salutes the great efforts he put in to make the United Church a respectable member of Christ’s Body in PNG.
Standing quietly at his side all along his life’s journey was his dear wife, Marama Jessie Lowa and their children Henry (late), Nathan, Alice and Mallison.
Sir Samson has left a legacy for the church to follow. May the church – from the leadership down to the members – all rise up to continue the great work he has done. As he enters his eternal rest, he will hear those coveted words from the mouth of the Master – “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Indeed, Rev Sir Samson Lowa. May you rest in God’s eternal peace!

• Rev Seik Pitoi is a freelance writer.

Siwi changes face of Banz

By TONY PALME
FOR the first time since independence, people are seeing the small township of Banz in North Waghi electorate of Jiwaka changing its face under the leadership of a councillor.
Simply perceived by many as the “melting point” of Jiwaka where people from the three districts of Jimi, North Waghi, Anglimp-South Waghi, and neighbouring districts of Dei in Western Highlands and Kerowaghi in Chimbu meet, greet, trade and transit, Banz is gradually becoming a small Singapore.
Recently there has been some negative publicity mainly about killings and shootings around the town but in the eyes of pioneer town councillor Peter Siwi, positive change is looming.
“Like all other towns in the country, Banz has its own share of problems. You will never find any perfect place on earth,” Siwi says.
“In every good thing, you will always find few rotten apples (people) or bad things happening.
“Both good and bad are part of change. And I see change happening here in this town.
“There are so many good things happening here like never before but people do not see it. They only see the negativities but in my mind’s eye, I see change,” Siwi stresses.
Under Siwi’s leadership, the town, has for the first time seen traffic humps, traffic signs and crossings put in place to control traffic and ensure public safety.
Despite not receiving any local level government (LLG) funds, the young councillor has improvised by using whatever available resources to change the image of the town.
He is using his private dump truck to clean up the town every day, an initiative he started when he was an ordinary man.
Siwi’s policy to empower youths through sports and local activities has seen him engage them to clean up every corner of the town as well as building a public toilet.
Recently the councilor and his youths have erected a billboard that spells out the town rules and regulations beside the main bus stop.
All these new changes and buying fuel for police cars and cleaners is done from takings collected from the street vendors.
“Here in Banz we have people from all over the country living and working.
“There is a population boom here and the town is bustling with business activities.
People come from different backgrounds and have different cultures and attitudes. To control human behaviour is very difficult.
“However, to ensure there is public safety and security, we have put up the billboard with rules and regulations to control certain activities deemed illicit,” Siwi said.
The councillor emphasised that there was lack of police manpower with no vehicle to move around and control human behaviour and address other law and order issues.
The rules and regulations spell out spot fines for those who break them.
“We want to do away with K2 and K5 bus crews at the bus stops. It is a nuisance and eyesore seeing youths frequenting these spots and harrassing passengers.
“We also discourage public fights and carrying of offensive weapons, littering in public places, selling of cooked food on trays, selling of domesticated animals like pigs, and consumption of liquor in the public.
“We want make Banz become a friendly, safe and conducive environment for everyone,” Siwi added.
The councillor said he was willing to work with everyone to make the town a commercial hub of Jiwaka and the Highlands.
“I understand that our local MP Dr Fabian Pok has plans to develop the town and I want to work together with him through the district development authority to develop our town and district,” Siwi said.
He extended his thanks to local company Ngekon Security Services for volunteering to support the work with vehicles and manpower to move around and enforce public order.
“I would like to thank our police station commander James Rumi for using his private vehicle to do police work.
“I also thank Full Co Ltd for supporting us with some cash that enabled us to do paintings for the signs and billboards.”
Siwi reiterated that developments taking place in Banz were a reflection of what was happening in other major centres in the province like Minj, Kudjip, Kindeng, Kimil and Nondugl.
“The most important message we want to convey to everyone is to take ownership of our towns and become responsibile citizens through changed mindsets.
“If everyone changes his or her attitude for the better, then Jiwaka will change and become the province everyone knows it can be,” Siwi stated.
The Jiwaka public is in awe of what the young councillor is doing and have praised him for his vision to transform Banz, which is the pride of the people of North Waghi.

• Tony Palme is a freelance writer.