UPNG law student wins essay contest

 A LAW student at the University of Papua New Guinea has won the British High Commission Commonwealth essay competition. 

Henry Norrie Maim was given a certificate and a bag of goodies by the Minister of State for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire, yesterday.

British High Commissioner Jackie Barson said the prize included a fully-paid trip to Auckland in July to attend the Asia Pacific model UN conference. 

Barson said Maim’s essay was the best because it powerfully summarised the major themes and objectives of the Commonwealth in the 21st century. 

Swire told of how Maim got his essay done. 

“Due to Maim’s keen interest in writing, he was told by his friend to write an essay for the competition. 

“Maim wrote the essay in three hours. Just when he was about to submit it, he had problem with internet connections. 

“But fortunately he sent it on time. After he submitted it, he lost his phone which was the only contact the British High Commission had.  

“The British High Commission couldn’t reach him on his phone to let know he won so they had to put an announcement on the radio. But still Maime was not aware. 

“When he got his phone back he learnt he was the winner of the essay competition. “

Maim thanked the British High Commissioner and the Commonwealth for the prize and the opportunity to represent PNG in Auckland. 

“I’m enthusiastic to learn as much as I can so that I can be an agent of change for my people and my country in the future,” he said.