Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has thanked the people of Morobe for their warm reception yesterday.
He said Morobe is close to his heart because he was educated in their province but the only issue was he didn't returned to serve.
"I attended Finschhafen High School with some of our senior statesman who are alive and passed on but I didn't return to serve as a teacher," he said.
He said but that doesn't mean Morobe was left out. He always put the province close to himself.
Sir Michael was in Lae, capital of Morobe Province for 14th Momase Governor's Conference, with Madang Governor Jim Kas.
Sir Michael was given a red carpet treatment before a guard of honour at the front of the Morobe Provincial Administration building.
It was attended by many people including school children, who were on holidays.
The founding father of the nation was presented with gifts from three groups of people, each representing different status.
Host Governor Kasiga Kelly Naru presented a bowl, on behalf of the province, school children presented him with a string bag (bilum), representing all the schools and women, also presented a bilum, on behalf of the womenfolk in the province.
On Thursday July 7 2016, the Grand Chief travelled to the headquarters of Finschhafen, Gagidu.
And most importantly, he will visit his old known then as Finschhafen High.
This is where he spent his early schooling days and later, went on to become the first Prime Minister of PNG.
Sir Michael will return to Lae today.