The Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) officially closed its 2023 academic year last Wednesday with closing remarks made from each executive staff including the Chief Executive Officer as well as the directors and managers of the institute. The closing ceremony also saw the awarding of high performing staff as well the farewelling of their retirees. Chief Executive Officer of SILAG, Micheal Barobe in his closing remarks, thanked the staff for their commitment and commended the retirees for their contribution towards building the institution to where it is now. Barobe also expressed his gratitude for all that has been done this year including achievements made this year in which he was thankful to his staff for and also called for improvements in 2024. “For this year we have reached well over K4 million this year in revenue and that shows how well we have performed, therefore, we must make sure that we are one of the top contributors to the development of this country by offering the best public service training and teachings we can give.” For the first time in the history of the institution since working with the government, Barobe announced that the government increased its budget to K23 million this year towards the institution. With that, he expressed his appreciation towards the government for its major contribution and expressed to his staff that these are the kind of funds spent on reforming and building the institution to ensure that they revise their public service management act as well creating a place to be of moral for public service training. “One of the first things we have put in place, are the training policies and when we put meaning towards the policies, we evolve our diploma leadership governance and management courses.” In addition, SILAG’s main focus now is on improving and developing leadership training. He stated that as of next year they will look closely at focusing and empathizing more on courses that correlates to the institution’s aim, goals, and mission. Furthermore, Barobe stated that the staff’s commitment in creating an environment conducive to learning, has been remarkable and therefore is deeply grateful for their service. With the recent name change, this has positioned SILAG for success and excellence in the rights of leadership and governance. Meanwhile, he also commended the top performing staff for their achievements and excellence they portrayed working under the institution and awarded them for the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year. It is with importance that Barobe along with the SILAG management have recognized those individuals who have performed above and beyond and have also thanked and wished four of their retirees for their contribution in developing the institution to where it is today.