late Sir Michael Somare

Quoting American General, Douglas MacArthur, who said “Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away…”, Sir Julius said: “My friend, your role in bringing the country’s Independence dream to reality, remains etched in the hearts and minds of all Papua New Guineans. Your name will live on.”

In honouring the life and times of Sir Michael, Sir J urged all Papua New Guineans to emulate the same dedication Sir Michael and all other founding fathers had for Papua New Guinea.

Grand Chief Sir Michael passed away two years ago on the 26th of February 2021.

“My dear friend, it has been two year’s now since you left us, but it seems like only yesterday that we bravely decided to take Papua New Guinea through unchartered waters and begin our Journey, carrying the weight of a thousand tribes to form a United and Independent Papua New Guinea,” said Sir J.

The Kastom wok was a cultural obligation indebted by the people of New Ireland to thank Late Sir Michael Somare for his leadership and service throughout the province in his years as a teacher and Prime Minister.

They paraded into the main venue with a buro, a traditional ceremony accorded at any traditional feasting.

Governor Sir Julius Chan presented the Somare Family,  a spear which symbolizes lordship, a Malangan mask to honor late Sir Michael as the great chief and 10 traditional shell money representing the 10 Local Level Governments in the province.

The family issued a statement clarifying that late Sir Michael had handpicked Bengo out of UPNG in 1973 to be his Principle Private Secretary, taking over from the young Sir Rabbie Namaliu at that time.

Since then, Bengo has been a loyal public servant for many years, serving in many capacities both in provincial and National Government.

After the passage of the Organic Law on Political Parties and Candidates, Bengo became the first Registrar of Political Parties.

His loyalty to PNG and Sir Michael makes him an obvious representative for the Somare family.

The late Sir Michael succumbed to his illness in the early hours of this morning, at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby.

His daughter Betha Somare released a statement on social media this morning, saying he was hospitalised after being diagnosed with a late stage pancreatic cancer.

The late Sir Michael leaves behind his wife lady Veronica, his five children, grandchildren and a great granddaughter.