NCD REMEMBERS LATE GRAND CHIEF’S LEGACY
COLORS of red, black and gold filled the Sir John Guise Indoor Complex on Wednesday night as citizens of the nation’s capital came together to commemorate the passing of the country’s father Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
February 26th was a sad day for the country but last night, the atmosphere at the Sir John Guise Indoor Stadium echoed with the choirs of the country’s national anthem and the pre independence song “Our land” performed by the students of Caritas, showcasing the remarkable talent this country has to offer.
The commemoration saw the attendance of Prime Minister James Marape, NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, Governor for Oro, Gary Juffa and Regional Member for Bougainville and Minster for Police, Peter Tsiamalii Jnr and other distinguished leaders.
In his opening remarks, the governor for NCD, Powes Parkop said this day is special because this is when the country paid respect to the life, the vision, the achievement and the story of the father and the architect of the nation, Papua New Guinea.
He said since his passing on the 26th of February 2021, NCD and the rest of the country have been hosting this special event to remember and honour the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
He also mentioned that last night, the nation’s capital also celebrated the leaders of the past who have also played a crucial role in shaping the country, Papua New Guinea, in the likes of Late Sir Julius Chan who recently passed away and many more who are the country’s history books.
“There are many people in the world, who have stood up among the billions to define the destiny of their people and their country, Papua New Guinea’s was Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare, a great chief, a Kukurai from the Murik lakes of East Sepik Province” Parkop said.
The late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare gave his best for the progress of this great nation and it is only befitting that the candles lit up tonight in memory of the courageous and visionary leader that etched his legacy in the history of the PNG since 1975.
