Firstly, Hon. Namah made no remarks to comfort the busfire disaster victims. His never ending personal attack on PMJM at every opportunity is uncalled for. As leaders, we should leave our political or personal differences and stand with our closest friend. Its not time to play politics and grandstanding. Its time to offer prayers, comfort and help.
Hon. Belen Namah should by now understand he is no longer at Moem Barracks. He is at Waigani Parliament as Opposition Leader and he must speak and behave like one.
PMJM's commitment was a high level commitment to his counterpart in Australia so details can be worked based on request. He offered his sorrow and grief at first instance. Then he made High level commitment not just to put off Fire but also for restoration effort.
Just like Namah matched to the Court House to arrest the then Chief Justice in 2017, he is now seen doing his military style Parade to Australia without common courtesy.
This is outrageus, domineering and making fool our capability and ability to help. He is a disgrace to the nation and should bow out in shamed. His statement is insult to the 8 million people of PNG and he should retract it immediately.
To family and loved ones of victims of the fire tragedies in Australia , to the greater Australian people and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Papua New Guinea convey our sympathies, sorrow and grief in your moment of pain.
Australia is the closest friend of PNG and is always the first in PNG in our times of adversities and we offer our hearts and our hands to you in this time of fire induced tragedies.
PM Morrison and myself have been in constant conversation the last few weeks and if need be, 1000 of our combine soldiers and fire fighters stand ready to be deployed to give a hand upon PM Morrison's invitation.
I also convey to Australian people that many PNGeans on their own free will are doing fundraising and offering prayers for Australia since the disaster first started.
It shows we are with you in thoughts and prayers.
May the God Yahweh of PNG and Australia contain this adversity! In 1 Corinthians 10:13, God promises that in all problems /temptations there is an escape route for those who call upon God’s name.
I believe in that and PNG prays that consolation to our friends in Australia.
With sincere love and sympathy,
Hon James Marape Prime Minister of Papau New Guinea On behalf of the people of PNG
Right: Bomai after her certification as a practising lawyer at the Waigani Court House on Dec 13 – Nationalpic by JASON KAVAN
By ZEDAIAH KANAU - The National
IT was around noon on Dec 13 the Waigani National Court welcomed 75 new lawyers into the legal fraternity. Among them was Carolyn Bomai, who had similar emotions as her fellow students who had just received certificates to practise law. Coming from a Chimbu-Eastern Highlands parentage, Bomai, 24, had achieved two goals on the day. She had just fulfilled her dad’s wish and dreams for her to become a lawyer. Bomai is the second of five children, all grew up at Morata One, Port Moresby. Dad Cletus grew up in one of the remotest parts of Chimbu at Kuleka village, Gumine district, where vegetation is overruled by the a rocky landscape, making gardening difficult. Dad’s struggling background has always been Carolyn’s inspiration. He is a mechanical engineer while mum is self-employed??. “My role model is my father because he comes from a very poor background and his struggles will always be my drive and motivation,” Bomai said. “Because of the struggles he had gone through, the only way I could make him feel better is through education which is his emphasis towards us, his children.” Dad was beaming with pride on April 26 when Bomai graduated from the University of PNG with a law degree after four years of hard work. “If there is no hard work and support, then expect nothing. You have to work hard and put effort into what you want to achieve,” Bomai said. “Education is the key to all doors. This is what my father used to tell me all the time.” Bomai started her journey in 2001 at Noblet Catholic Elementary School and then proceeded to Carr Memorial Adventist to finish her primary schooling. In 2010, she went to Kabiufa Adventist Secondary (in EHP) for grade 9 but returned to Port Moresby and enrolled at Jubilee Catholic Secondary where she had her secondary school education. Bomai took up studies at UPNG in 2015, making it through to her final year. She was the vice-president of the Eastern Highlands Students’ Union in 2018. “Most of the leadership roles during our school years were taken up by males so I decided to take up that role to involve the females and prove that women are capable of leading too.” Bomai did her postgraduate legal training last year at the Legal Training Institute. “My interest in becoming a criminal lawyer grew stronger due to one of my instructors at LTI, Vasiti Mauta.
“ My role model is my father because he comes from a very poor background and his struggles will always be my drive and motivation.”
“After attending all her classes and seeing how she conducts herself motivated me to becoming a criminal lawyer. She always tells us to believe in ourselves and know our worth, which is what I stand for.” One of Bomai’s ambitions is to one day see that all PNG citizens versed in law and know their rights. “The enforcers of the law have to do more awareness and educate the people. People need to know their rights and when they know their rights that’s when they do things in an acceptable way in the society,”Bomai said.
Founding principal of the Hela Hewate Multi Skills Training Institute David Angobe with Alice Agobe and her daughter Florida after the graduation last Friday at Tari.
By ELIAS LARI - The National
MOTHER of six Alice Agobe, from Hela, was the only female who graduated with certificate in motor mechanic at the Hela Hewate Multi Skills Training Institute last Friday in Tari. Though many women considered taking up this male-dominated course, few opted for it but Agobe, 35, from Hewate village in the Tari-Pori electorate, decided to give it a crack. Agobe dropped out of grade 10 in 2000, becoming a housewife and mother and believing that was her future. However, after struggles and pain in depending on her husband’s income, Agobe felt that she had to do something to change that for the sake of the famly. In 2016 she applied to the Hela Hewate Multi Skills Training Institute in Tari and was accepted to do motor mechanics. She completed it the following year and so decided to spend another on schooling – taking up basic computing at the same institution. She completed that last year. Last Friday she was among 101 students who graduated with certificates. Agobe received two certificates – motor mechanic and basic computing. The institution informed Agobe that she was accepted to further her National Certificate (NC) studies at the Mt Hagen Technical College. She described her achievement as “a miracle from God”. “I want to encourage every mother and young women who are at home to look for such opportunities because God created man and women the same. “I’m happy that finally my dream for the last six years has come to a reality,” she said. “Many women nowadays have forgotten that they are important and can live a life without depending heavily on others or even their husbands,” she said. Agobe said she wanted to continue her studies. She was thankful to the Hela Hewate Multi Skills Training Institute for giving her a second chance in life. Founding principal of the Institute David Angobe said that his vision to establish the institution was to help the unfortunate because education was a right for people. He said Hela, despite having so much bad publicity, could change and promote the province for positive living.
“ I want to encourage every mother and young women who are at home to look for such opportunities because God created man and women the same. I’m happy that finally my dream for the last six years has come to a reality.”
Angobe said the institute was level-four and it also offered FODE studies used for upgrading marks as well graduate pupils for grade 12 certificate. He said to help people like Agobe, the institution had to struggle with farming and fishery to maintain its operations. “We are here to serve and support people who feel that they do not have a hope of facing a new life,” he said. Angobe said his plan was to extend the institution and make sure that those who had lost a chance could come and make a fresh start. “If people like Alice can make her up from a housewife to a mechanic and computer person, then why not you? “It all depends on how you plan your life because a hard-working person will always have food on the table,” Angobe said. “If you want to make a change in your life, then there is hope and it is about time you get committed to make your way up.”
Helen after her admission at the Waigani National Court in Port Moresby on Dec 13.
By ZEDAIAH KANAU - The National
In a country where leadership is commonly associated with patriarchy in almost every aspects of life, one young lass is breaking barriers by inspiring the next generation of Papua New Guineans moving forward.
TWENTY-four-year old Helen Yurus is a proud Papua New Guinean with an enduring passion to help progress the nation in any way she can. Helen recently graduated from the Legal Training Institute (LTI) and was admitted to the bar of the National and Supreme Courts on Dec 13. Born to Margaret Yurus and late William Yurus, Helen comes from East Sepik where dad is from Turubu Village and mom is from Boikin. She is the last of four children. Helen’s dad was a telecommunications engineer while mom was a primary school teacher before she assumed a teaching role with the Red Cross special education centre in Hohola, NCD where she teaches special-needs student’s (hearing and speech impaired) sign language. “I’ve always look up to my dad because he was a man of integrity. Regardless of his job and his role he always wanted to do the right thing which was important to us growing up,” Helen says. “I have two older sisters and a brother. Dad always instilled in us that as women in our society we (my sisters and I) must be independent and not depend on others too much. He raised us to be strong and independent and that’s why I admire my dad.” Helen began her schooling at Lahara Pre-school in 2001. In 2009 she completed grade eight at Korobosea International School and enrolled at the Port Moresby International School (Pomis) the following year. While in grade 10 in 2011, her late dad switched jobs and was unable to complete her fees for that year. Helen transferred to Jubilee Secondary School in 2012 to do grade 10 again and remained at Jubilee until she finished her secondary education in 2014. But a month from her grade 12 exams, Helen’s dad William passed away and her life came crumbling down. Before his passing, Dad William had always dreamed of her daughter (Helen) becoming a lawyer. “I never wanted to apply for law; I wanted to become an economist but because dad died, all my family expected me to choose law. “My big sister Wilma Yurus is a very important person in my life. She and her partner Matthew Tade are like my second parents. They practically looked after me when my dad passed away.” Before travelling to Wewak for dad’s funeral, Helen changed her school leaver form selection from economics to law at the very last minute and was selected for law at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in 2015. Whilst at university, Helen heard about The Voice Inc. “I’m always passionate about contributing to the growth of the country so I heard about The Voice Inc PNG, which is a platform for young people to be engaged, like a youth programme to help build your leadership skills and to know how you can give back as a young person.” Helen was an active member of the Law Student Society (LSS) and in her second year at university, she became class representative for all second year law students in 2016. “In 2016, in order to help my mother who was struggling to pay back the loan for my fees, I applied to the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Scholarship scheme and was a successful recipient and as such they have met my fees from my third year of studies till the completion of my education at LTI this year.” Helen’s journey took another turn when she got pregnant while still in university. “I got pregnant when I was in third year and I didn’t know how to tell my mother about it. When I did it took a lot for her to come around and accept that I was pregnant.” The year 2018 was an eventful one for the young lass. Before registering for her final year of studies, Helen was shortlisted for the 2018 Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) Archer Leadership programme and was selected for 2018. The KTF is a non-governmental organisation that contributes to education, leadership and health in the country in order to keep the spirit of Kokoda alive through its team headed by Dr Genevieve Nelson. Concurrently, Helen has recently completed an inaugural three-month internship programme with Transparency International and applied for the KTF programme prior to finishing her training. As an Archer leader under the KTF, Helen was selected to travel to Australia. On May 11 that year, a month before travelling, Helen gave birth to her daughter Tehillah Azure-Mira Wariambu before marrying the father of her child Percy Wariambu. “It was a complicated birth so I had to recover within two weeks and then come sit for my first semester exams.” Helen and other KTF recipients visited Sydney and Melbourne in their two week trip which centred upon adaptive leadership. “In Melbourne we went to visit Newcrest and spoke with the vice president. While in Sydney I went to Dentons which is one of the biggest law firms in the world and was fortunate to do a one-day work experience with them in their Sydney office.” While away, Mum Margaret and Sister Wilma and her husband Matthew stepped in and raised Helen’s daughter which became the norm leading up to her final days of studies. Upon returning, Helen managed to complete her formal years at university level awaiting graduation the next year (2019). Helen was also presented with a K1,000 grant through her KTF scholarship. While prepping for husband Percy’s graduation at the University of Technology in Morobe, Helen consulted the KTF about doing her community project in an elementary school in Morobe, located in her husband’s village. Using her grant money, Helen liaised with an organisation called Library for All which is based in Australia that provides culturally appropriate books directed for Papua New Guinea children. “Comprehension is really important; your foundation is really important. Teaching them (children) at an early age when they are trying to comprehend should be culturally appropriate in their context so that they have a better understanding,” she says. Helen bought 32 brand new A5-sized books written by PNG authors for children aged three to seven years old. “Shipping was really expensive so I had to ask the KTF chief operating officer Mike Nelsen and CEO Dr Genevieve Nelson to bring the books when coming to PNG and thankfully that’s what they did.” Helen went to donate the books to the Puseka Elementary School for their library in Puseka Village, Huon Gulf in Morobe on April 7. She hopes to continue to give back to the community anyway she can. Last April 26, Helen was able to achieve what her late dad had wished for her by graduating with a law degree from UPNG. “The four years was a real struggle but I was happy that I was able to make my mum proud because my dad wasn’t there. So my sister and mum, those are the two people that told me to never give up when things got tough and when I wanted to withdraw from school.” Helen then went through another six months at the LTI for a practicing certificate whilst at the same time was chosen (unanimously) to lead as the female class representative of the LTI 2019 trainees. She earned the respect of her colleges by treating everyone as equals regardless of gender. Balancing the duties of being a mom and student at a young age wasn’t easy but fortunately for Helen, husband Percy with the support of his family, father Gregory and mother Abigail were able to assist her with that. On Nov 29, she graduated from LTI and was the recipient of the female class leader award. “Going through the KTF Foundation, going through the adaptive leadership programme teaches you to take a step back and look at what is happening in front of you. “It has taught me to be innovative and to stand firm on my values and have empathy for other people. You don’t know what other people are facing every day. “I’ve been through situations that brought me down. You are not what you are without the experiences you go through. I don’t pretend to be anyone else but myself. I’m not going to pretend that I wasn’t pregnant or I had the perfect life after uni because I didn’t.” “We all have a story to tell and that’s my story. That’s how I lead having empathy and putting everyone else before me and that’s what life is supposed to be about.”
PRIME Minister James Marape launched several development projects worth over K65 million in Goroka on Friday. The main projects include the Nokondi civil works, Rumbia coffee export, Goroka agro project, Eastern Highlands rice and juncao mushroom under the JUNCAO Technology and other road plans in the province. Marape said Eastern Highlands was blessed with the perfect climate for garden crops and coffee that the Government is promoting agriculture as one of its top priorities. “We have millions of people around the world needing food every day, we want to make PNG become an agriculture country to export food crops to countries like China where they have huge population to feed,” he said. Marape acknowledged Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu’s initiative to grow the economy through agro-projects that is in line with the Government’s vision to grow the economy and make Papua New Guineans become industrious citizens. He said the Government has made available K200 million in the 2020 budget to be parked in the Bank of South Pacific, Kina Bank and National Development Bank to facilitate low cost borrowings.
PAPUA New Guineans lack exposure to international education standards because they do not have the advice and awareness to meet specific criteria to be eligible for selection, a recent graduate says.
Livingston Fontenu, who graduated with a master of science in global governance from the University of South Wales in United Kingdom last week, said the country had limited exposure globally, especially in terms of searching for and securing scholarships and travelling to the European Union nations, UK or US.
Fontenu said he was looking at forming an association to help address the issue to give Papua New Guineans the opportunity to acquire post graduate tertiary qualifications overseas.
The 27-year-old from Henganofi, Eastern Highlands, was one of the three recipients of Chevening scholarship from Papua New Guinea to study for a master’s degree in UK last year.
The other recipients were Presley Semi, who undertook a master of science in information technology at Lancaster University and Diane Kambanei, who undertook a master of science in global health at the Queen Margaret University in Scotland.
Livingston Fontenu after graduating from the University of South Wales in United Kingdom on Dec 16. He is the only PNG student to graduate from one of the Wales’ most prestigious universities.
The three had the opportunity to meet at Buckingham Palace on May 29, by royal invitation. They were among other leaders and people from all walks of life, all of whom had made a positive impact in their community.
“After a few talks, we realised that PNG has limited exposure globally, especially in terms of searching and securing scholarships to get those high standard education in developed countries,” Fontenu said.
He said it was evident in only three of them being selected to study at prestigious universities.
He said the Chevening Scholarship they applied for was simple and straight forward, including the Commonwealth Scholarships.
However, Fontenu said not everyone was aware of it and the ones that did know did not know how to compile fitting applications and essays to meet the specified criteria.
In 2018, only three Papua New Guineans were selected for the Chevening Scholarship, whereas Indonesia sent 20, Malaysia sent 32, China sent 69 and Mexico sent 106.
Fontenu said something had to be done to address the issue in PNG so that more PNG elites were sent to study to attain globally recognised qualifications and accreditation.
“I had a talk with the British High Commissioner to PNG before we left for studies that we will be forming a PNG-UK students’ alumni when I return to solve this problem and give more opportunities to future students,” he said.
“There were many students who have come through this scholarships and other sponsorships but have gone into hiding when they returned home.
“We will revive this network, put our collective efforts together and support prospective students to come into UK for further studies.”
He said the standard of education in the UK was high with many of the world’s top universities , where eight of the top 10 universities in the world is found.
Fontenu said it was really a challenge for someone such as himself who does not only come from a country where the education standard is below average but also for someone who graduated from an engineering science undergraduate degree to pursue a master’s degree in humanities and political science.
He is excited and praised God for his achievements and is looking forward to come back and serve PNG in any capacity he could, as well as assist in sending students to study in the high standard education systems throughout the world.
