NCD Governor Powes Parkop led grieving Active City participants and students in black on Sunday to respect and honour the passing of Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare on Friday.
Undeterred by rain and wind, they walked 8 kilometres in the weekly event, ‘Walk and Yoga for Life’ from Murray Barracks to the Sea Park Bazaar along the Paga Hill Ring road.
The students from University of Papua New Guinea joined hundreds of participants.
The Walk and Yoga for Life program was dedicated not only to mourn Papua New Guinea’s ‘papa’ but also to celebrate his life and legacy.
Speaking at the end of the silent walk in grief, Governor Parkop said if one looks at Sir Michael’s life, it is an embodiment of the true spirit of Papua New Guinea.
He said the entire nation is mourning the passing of this great man.
He was born in New Guinea Irelands, said Governor Parkop, grew up in Momase, educated in Southern Region and all his friends who partnered him for independence are from the Highlands Region and all other corners of the country.
“The government has put together a program that will honour and celebrate the life of this exceptional man. In these two weeks, I want to make this call for our people to come together as one nation and one people. He deserves the recognition, accolades, salutations and the honour that we give.
We would not have been here as we are now facing the future without his vision, passion and commitment to our nation.
In 1968, he got elected into the National House of Assembly. His agenda was independence. At that time our people were tribe-oriented with thousand tribes and 860 plus languages.
We were fragmented. We did not see beyond our tribal boundaries. We would hate the tribe on the other side of the mountains, rivers, valleys and islands. But, this one man had faith in us that we can do it, while many others doubted. Here we are so many years later. We have defied the whole world. We are still one nation and one people. There are many challenges but we are still here because of him.”
Governor Parkop said many other nations in comparison have gone through turbulent pasts in civil wars, bloodsheds and military dictatorship.
“Many thought that we would fail in light of crisis in Africa and Asia. We got independence on a golden plate without bloodshed. It is a testimony to this man who believed in us.
Governor Parkop called on young Papua New Guineans to believe in their abilities and the country’s potential.
“To you, young people, I urge you to believe in yourself. Believe in our country. Believe in its potential. Believe in your ability. The world did not believe that we would succeed as a nation. It is all because of this one man that we have come a long way. And, we have a long way to go. We can become a greater nation because this exceptional man has left a very strong foundation and a very strong legacy for all of us. We cannot ask any more from him now.
“He has spent all his life serving our entire country and her people and not his family and the people of Sepik and lake Miruk. He gave his life to Papua New Guinea,” he said.
He said Sir Michael passed on at the age of 84, adding he has served 17 years collectively as Prime Minister and spent over 45 years in politics, a record in itself.
Governor Parkop likened Sir Michael to Moses in the Bible, calling on everyone to step up and be the Joshua to take the country to promise land.
“He did not fail us. It is up to us to deliver the promised land. Our country has great potential. That is why he believed in it. He was passionate about it. That is why he gave his full life to this nation. You all rise up to realise the dream of this exceptional man had,” he said.
