The Governor- General elect Bob Dadae passes his condolences to the immediate family members of the out-going GG Late Sir Michael Ogio at this time of sorrow.
Dadae who is currently in his Kabwum electorate of Morobe province paying last visits to his people, speaking from the border of Raicoast in the Madang Province that Sir Michael served the country faithfully until his death.
Dadae said Sir Michael was a well-respected leader who has contributed so much towards the development of this country through his sheer determinations.
“I am saddened to hear that the passing of Sir Michael who was a career politician and followed on as ninth Governor General of Papua New Guinea. His excellency without doubt served this nation with distinction. Even in his struggles against illness, he never gave up serving the country until his untimely death.
“I was privileged to meet and learned some exemplary leadership attributes this great leader posed and one such example was that he was very punctual in attending cabinet meetings during Somare led government from 2007 to 2011 when both of us were serving as cabinet ministers,” Dadae said from Isanti village today.
Dadae, who will be retiring from being a Member of Parliament after three terms was recently elected Governor-General to take up the vice-regal post on February 28 extended his condolence on behalf of his family, the people of Kabwum and Morobe, Governor-General elect to Sir Michael’s immediate family and the people of Bougainville.
Late Sir Michael died at the age of 75 years at the state residence on Saturday afternoon.
Sir Michael, who hailed from North Bougainville, was entering the final week of his six-year term as Governor-General.
The former defence minister, Dadae, is due to take over the role after being nominated by parliament early last week.
Sir Michael is survived by his wife, Lady Esmie, five children and eight grandchildren.