East Sepik Governor Allan Bird pledged a K100, 000 support to Utu Secondary School in New Ireland which is home to the Somare Memorial in the province. The memorial site was set up in front of a building that Sir Michael lived in during the 1950s, when he started his teaching career as a young teacher. The school since then has had special ties with Somare and given this unique connection between the first and second Prime Ministers, Governor Bird as Sir Michael’s immediate predecessor paid tribute to this great historical institution. Governor Bird said the funds pledged will come from taxpayers of his province. Governor Bird was joined by his counterpart, New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, and Opposition MP colleagues, including Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane in a small ceremony to pay tribute to late Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s memorial monument in New Ireland Province on Thursday, July 25th. Governor Bird was also joined by his wife, Mrs Joan Bird and several other delegates from East Sepik Province to lay wreaths at the monument, situated in Utu Secondary School. The delegation took a moment to reflect upon the contributions of Sir Michael and remembered the special connection Sir Michael had with Utu Secondary. Meantime, the Opposition clarified that ‘contrary to desperate rumors being peddled by even desperate Government spin-doctors’, Governor Bird was officially invited by Sir J to be this year’s keynote speaker at the New Ireland Day celebration on Friday, July 25th. “The invitation was given weeks prior and was accepted by Governor Bird with great respect and humility to officiate an important event hosted by the country’s ‘last man standing’ and most eminent politician,” the Opposition said in a statement.