FLY RIVER STUDENTS UNITE IN LAE TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE

BY KENNY ROMANUS

FLY River students from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNG Unitech) and the National Polytechnic Institute of PNG (NPIPNG) joined forces at Unitech’s Taraka Campus in Lae to commemorate Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence Anniversary.

The gathering brought together students from Western Province to celebrate the national occasion while strengthening unity, cultural pride and friendship between students of the two institutions.

The celebrations featured traditional performances representing various parts of Western Province, including Kiwai dancers from South Fly and Awin and Faiwol dancers from North Fly.

Students from Telefomin and Oksapmin also participated in the cultural presentations, adding to the diversity of the celebrations.

The performances highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Western Province, connecting communities from the headwaters of the Fly River to its downstream areas and the river mouth.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NPIPNG Fly River Student Association President Roger Bekeng urged students to strengthen their relationship and cooperation between the two institutions.

“Western Province is a big province and we must maintain the relationship between the two institutions together as one. Any events that occur in Lae, we must come out and take part, be one family and promote our culture,” Mr Bekeng said.

PNG Unitech Fly River Student Association President Mosess Kute also encouraged students to take pride in their Western Province heritage and identity.

“We must have pride and be proud that we are from Western. Stand up and speak for Western. I want someone from the head of the Fly to downstream of the Fly to speak up and say you are from Western,” Mr Kute said.

Mr Kute thanked the sponsors for their support towards the celebration, acknowledging their contributions as an important part of the event’s success.

He also thanked the NPIPNG Fly River students for joining their fellow students from Unitech to celebrate the country’s Independence Anniversary.

The celebration demonstrated how students from the diverse communities of Western Province can come together as one family to showcase their cultures, strengthen relationships and celebrate their shared identity.