Late Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare

“Mi kam long peim rispek na givim bikpela luksave long papa bilong kantri, Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare,” said Toroama at Kreer Heights.

“Kam bilong mi tu em long toksave long em olsem Bougainville em i wok long redi nau long wokabaut em yet.”

President Toroama further described Sir Michael as an inspiration for selfless leadership.

“Bougainville has always shared a very close relationship with the leadership and people of East Sepik Province. I am here to strengthen these bonds while looking into the future of Bougainville,” President Toroama stated.

PM Albanese was welcomed by Late Sir Michael’s family including his grandchildren. A traditional cleansing ceremony was conducted by the Chiefs of Kreer Village who are traditional landowners in Wewak. A coconut was split in two and its juice poured over the ground on which the visitors also planted a coconut to signify his visit and then signed the Visitors' Book.

Not only did the nation lost a great leader but a family also lost a husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Marking her father’s one-year anniversary, Sir Michael’s youngest daughter, Dulciana Somare Brash expressed on her Facebook page, “My broken heart breaks all over again today. I pray for the day when this day each year will hurt less.

“Kujaanga to all of you who messaged me to remind me of his impact on all our lives. Let his light and love shine through the ages.”

The Department of Prime Minister and the National Executive Council made the announcement in a circular dated February 24^th, outlining that NEC decision No. 33/2021 declared 26^th February every calendar year as a public holiday to remember the life and times of our first Prime Minister, the late Great Grand Chief Sir Michael T. Somare.

“The anniversary date, 26^th February 2022, falls on Saturday, which is a weekend. Accordingly, the National Executive Council has approved Monday as a public holiday.