21 February 2017 – The Right Pitch

By Gorethy Kenneth, Post Courier 21/02/17

DRIVEN for success and looking to expand her knowledge base at Draper University, this 27-year-old lass that you will read about is reaping the benefits of following her dreams.

Roberta Morlin, 27, from Manus and Bougainville, is an exceptionally talented and driven young woman with her very own Papua New Guinea story.

A young entrepreneur, Ms Morlin, just straight from Divine University after studying International Relations from 2008 to 2012 ventured into something else, another profession that gained her an international scholarship.

“I pitched a startup company for connecting doctors to patients, an online medical consultation platform,” she tells her story.

“After that I was still working and recommended to apply to Draper University and in July 2016 I was accepted into Draper and the scholarship was fully funded by Sir Brian Bell Foundation and Kumul Game Changers.

“I studied innovative technology at Silicon Valley and was working on building the application, but then I ended up starting a health app,” she said.

“Being back I have now pursued other interests, while assisting Sir Brian Bell Foundation as well. I freelance and do market research as well as helping other people as a market research consultant.

“I don’t work for anyone, but while going through building this application, an artificial intelligence to help solve issues in PNG – medical consultation, I also assist wherever I can to help build other young entrepreneurs.”

From the Sir Brian Bell Foundation it was obvious, they had and still do have the desire to inspire the people of Papua New Guinea.

This inspiration is driven from a historical connection to both Health and Education.

Sir Brian had a long association with Health in PNG, and this will continue via support to individuals and organisations with the same values and ideals.

Sir Brian Bell Foundation CEO Bronwyn Wright said: “We all have heard the stories of great women from around the world, and how they started from small beginnings, they challenged the normal, they didn’t accept this is how you do it, and they have treated us to many amazing successes and triumphs.”

Mrs Wright said that Papua New Guinea has one of its very own success stories, and Ms Morlin is currently expanding her dream and following her heart with a desire of delivering a health solution to the women of PNG.

“This exceptionally talented and driven young woman was the finalist in 2015, The Kumul Game Changer program,” she said.

The Kumul Game Changers initiative, launched by UNDP with the support of the Australian Government in 2014 is aligned to the PNG National Government’s SME Policy.

Ms Morlin’s idea, to deliver an app that will allow women direct access to an online medical consultation with a doctor, won her a scholarship to pursue her dream.

Ruth, First Papua New Guinean Woman To Own Planes

PNG aviation’s first woman owner

Among many women entrepreneurs from around the Pacific and Papua New Guinea, Ruth Undi is one among them. Emerging from the rich area of Ialibu in the Southern Highlands.
42 year old Ruth, commonly known as “grassroots” mother is the frist Papua New Guinean woman to own and operate an aviation company, Niugini Aviation, which has fleet of three planes.
Despite having no aviation background, brave Ruth bought her first plane in 2011 because she saw the need to service the remote areas not accessible by road. She bought her frist plane, 206 seater aircraft from the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The plane was used to transport medical supplies to remote areas. Mining companies also hire the plane for private charters.
As the demand grew she went ahead to approached New Zealand and bought two more air craft. The mother of four doesn’t want to be branded as a trailblazer for women in the aviation industry. She said “she is not there yet.”

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Ruth attributes her success to a supporting husband and employees. “When you employ the right people and properly compensate them, they will perform to the best of their ability. My husband has always been there for me when I was taking the risks, she said.
Ruth has bigger plans for the future – one of which is the upgrade of her fleet to 19-seater Twin Otters to service other parts of PNG. This will mean the upgrade of the airline’s operating license.
Ruth also owns a construction company, Kana Construction, in Port Moresby, while her husband Ron operates an insurance company.
Ruth committed K1 million as seed capital to Ialibu-Pangia Mama Halipim Mama Financial Services to help them venture into agriculture and start-up small business to sustain their livelihood.
Rarely will you find people like Ruth, who generously gives back something worth K1 million back to the community. As a woman growing up in the village and seeing the struggles and hardships of her mother and other women faced in the community, she was inspired to contribute something profitable back to her people.
Her Husband Roxon Undi and her family and relatives were shocked to hear her K1 million contribution to the Mama Halipim Mama Financial Services.
“For me, the sky is the limit. I will tell my story once I have achieved everything that I have dreamt,” Ruth said.

Go to this link for more: https://www.pngfacts.com/news/ruth-first-papua-new-guinean-woman-to-own-planes 

Late Iambakey Okuk's Family in USA

Post on facebook page- The Informationist

PNG's "most colorful and controversial politician" Sir Iambakey Okuk died in 1986 but his legacy will live forever throughout ages.
Okuk was a popular political figure in PNG. Described by many as the man with 7 brains, his name lives forever in the history books of this great nation.
Okuk was the mastermind behind what is now the Air Niugini Airlines, the famous highlands highway, RamuAgriSugar and a few other Orginazations still existing today.
Iambakey Okuk was one of the greatest minds and leader in PNG. He served as Deputy Prime Minister, the nation's first Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and repeatedly in the capacity of Minister of Transport, Minister of Primary Industries and Opposition Leader. He is known as PNG's "most colorful and controversial politician".
Iambakey first led protests against unfair labor practices, and then once elected to office, worked to reserve sectors of the economy for citizens as a method of returning a complex economic role to Papua New Guineans.
In the post-independence decade, Iambakey built a coalition of minority political factions which forced the successful change of government, in which he became Deputy Prime Minister.
Okuk was raised in Mt Hagen but he contested elections in Wabag, Simbu, and then Ungai Bena in Eastern Highlands during his active years. This made him the most popular political figure in the history of PNG.
During his glory days, he married American Lecturer Lizabeth Ryder. Lizabeth is the mother of Okuk's last daughter( her only) Niki Okuk. Behind every successful man, there is always a strong woman and in this case Okuk gets all the glory but Lizabeth was the mastermind behind Okuk's political career.
Okuk was a smart talker, Lizabeth was a great thinker, together they had great plans and visions for PNG and worked together with the rest of our founding fathers.
If Okuk was still alive, this nation would have seen greater changes in terms of development. Lizabeth a very faithful Christian from USA was the advisor of her husband Okuk and they aimed for Prime Ministership. They planned to develop PNG into a greater nation. Unfortunately Okuk's life was short lived when he died from liver cancer in 1986. His legacy remains forever.
Lizabeth Ryder and daughter Niki Okuk left for US after Okuk's death. Lizabeth has never married. The 65 years old is presently a Lecturer at California State University in Los Angeles. She has been teaching in various State Universities in USA ever since.
Daughter Niki Okuk grew up in Los Angeles and majored in economics at Columbia University. After working in development with the office of Joseph Stiglitz and working in finance in Korea and Singapore, Okuk completed her MBA with Nanyang University in Singapore, including a sustainability certificate at Sloan School of Business at MIT.
She is currently working to create social and economic justice and worker dignity in California, USA. She believes that when workers own companies, the economy is more resilient. Her objective is to create more worker owned businesses in USA.
Niki Okuk founded Rco Tires in 2012. They've since recycled more than 300 million pounds of rubber, diverting 70 million gallons of oil from landfills with 16 employees, making it one of southern California's largest sustainability plants. Rco creates alternative uses for trash tires, turning them into new products. Because of Okuk's progressive hiring and management practices, it provides stable jobs for local black and Latino residents who struggle to find employment because of past criminal convictions or legal status.
Niki is a very proud Papua New Guinean breaking barriers and making headlines in the US. She travels all over the world but home town Kundiawa is her favourite destination. She often travels to PNG bringing gifts from USA to her Gembogolg people in Chimbu Province.
She recently visited PNG in October 2018 and before that was in September 2016.
Niki is an inspirational PNG women representing PNG at the world stage. She is touching the hearts and lives making differences in the lives of many individuals in America and Papuan New Guinea.

Go to this link for more: https://www.facebook.com/369941363590558/photos/a.370146063570088/413878942530133/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Hela Wigmen to host a home game in Hela soon

By KEVIN TEME - Post Courier

It’s been a long time coming vision for Kroton Hela Wigmen to have its home games played in Hela Province next year.

Founding Chairman Andy Hetra revealed this in an email sent to this paper.

He said with the squad they carry this year, they are obviously building for a transition phase for the team return to Hela next year.

“Thanks to Hela Provincial Government, our field is currently under construction with bulk earth works. We were intended to return this year but construction was held back due to the natural disaster but work has recommenced,” Hetra said.

He thanked the PNG National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) for being considerate and giving them the opportunity to be based in Port Moresby once again particularly for this year.

Hetra said this would be their second consecutive year to be based in Port Moresby and they are looking forward to hosting their first home game in Hela Province as soon as their venue is completed.

He is proud to also say that the Hela Wigmen recruits for this year was from local development programs . “We had district peace games in Koroba, Hela Province over the 2018 Christmas period where all districts in Hela turned up to participate. Fifty men were picked and after a possible versus possible side, it was trimmed down to a 25 men squad,” Hetra said.

He said the 25 men squad were in camp and trained for the Coca Cola Ipatas Cup in Mendi in January and early February in Wapenamanda and moved to Port Moresby.

“With the support of Ipwenz Construction, Kumul Petroleum Holdings and Hela Provincial Government, we brought the Hela based team to Port Moresby to play against three Hela teams from the three electorates of Port Moresby to filter out and to pick the best possible player,” Hetra said.

 Go to this link for more: https://postcourier.com.pg/hela-wigmen-host-home-game-hela-soon/

Two young Papua New Guineans to attend 2019 ECOSOC Youth Forum in New York

Posted by UN PNG

Two young people from Papua New Guinea will travel to the United Nations Headquarters in New York next week to attend the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, taking place between 8th and 9th April 2019.

The Youth Forum is an annual platform through which youth from the Member States contribute to policy discussions at the United Nations. The United Nations in Papua New Guinea is supporting the participation of Ms Leoshina Kariha, who is the 2019 UNICEF Youth Advocate, along with Mr. Kim Allen, an avid youth advocate in his community.

During the Forum, youth representatives from around the world will discuss, share ideas, and think together about what they can do to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris Climate Agreement. They will take part in brainstorming sessions, interactive speaker panels and discussions with Member States on the theme, “Youth: Empowered, Included and Equal”. The Forum provides an important platform for the youth from Papua New Guinea and around the world to exhibit their commitment and innovative solutions to development challenges and to share their valuable experience with peers.

Ms Kariha, 18, was the youngest of six finalists when crowned Miss Pacific Islands in Tonga in December 2018. During the two-day pageant she secured the titles of Best Talent, Best Interview and was awarded Miss Tourism and Miss Personality. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the Divine World University in Madang Province and says she would like to serve the country as a diplomat or social worker.

Ms Kariha was also the youngest of all contestants when she won the Miss PNG Crown in November 2018.

Both youth representatives have already been actively participating in youth forums to share Papua New Guinea’s voice with the world. Mr Kim Allen is a member of the Commonwealth Youth and Gender Equality Network and was selected last year as a representative from PNG to attend a Gender Equality Training in Sri Lanka. Kim has been involved in conducting Essential UN outreach programmes in schools across Port Moresby to raise awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals. 

 “Thank you to the United Nations PNG for giving both Kim Allen and I this opportunity to participate in ECOSOC 2019, a prominent global forum. We will do our best to represent the collective voice of our youths across the nation. I thank also UNICEF for my recent appointment as a youth advocate role, a great honor and challenging responsibility to spearhead. I encourage other young people throughout the nation to take the initiative to contribute your say and actions to help initiate development in your individual communities at all levels of society. Our youth is vibrant and capable of making a positive impact on the development in our country. Change starts with one person and goal, willing to take that first step towards action,” stated Leoshina Kariha.

The youth representatives are being financially supported by UNICEF and UNDP in Papua New Guinea to attend the ECOSOC Youth Forum.

“Youth are key partners actors in bringing about positive change to the community and to the entire country. This is an opportunity for Leoshina and Kim to represent Papua New Guinea and engage meaningfully with other member states youth representatives on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. By sending these inspiring and proactive young Papua New Guineans to this Forum, we will be exhibiting the country’s strong commitment and the greatest assets for the nation’s future," commented Mr. Gianluca Rampolla UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea.

Go to this link for more: http://www.pg.undp.org/content/papua_new_guinea/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2019/two-young-papua-new-guineans-to-attend-2019-ecosoc-youth-forum-i.html

Challenges are opportunities, says young trainee

Posted by Post Courier

Meet Boboleia Kom, the Remington Group’s graduate management trainee encouraging young women to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow to become better professionals.

Here’s what Ms Kom has to say in this first person interview with the Remington Group:

“I recently graduated from the James Cook University in Townsville, Australia with a Bachelor of Business (Management). I am 23 and I come from the Jiwaka, Milne Bay and Enga provinces.”

“I always overcome challenges by learning to look at the bright side of it.

Challenge are opportunities that make you learn and grow. How far you go depends on how you deal with the negative situations,” she said.

“I surrounded myself with a likeminded group of friends: friends who have plans, set goals and achieve them; friends who let each other know about opportunities, friends who encourage each other and give each other confidence; friends like family, who are positive people.

“While at the University, I tried to prepare myself for my first job by doing a lot of volunteer work while balancing my studies.

I worked with the Court Network Inc, North Queensland Women’s Legal Service, UN Youth Australia, JCU PNG Students’ Association, Study Townsville and I interned at TJIP Patent’s Trademarks & Designs.

“My volunteer work experience gave me insight into working in business environments and also intangible gains.

I am more confident in myself and my ability to work in a team.

I can easily understand the whole vision of an organisation and how it stands in the community, and I embody it – that adds value to my work.

“Ï am currently with the Remington Group as a graduate management trainee.

I see a lot of potential for the group and its business units.

It is an international company when you look at its branding, yet it is a national company and that is one of its great strengths.”

“The Remington Group has a ‘one-village approach’ to everything. I love how friendly everyone is.

I easily fit in well when I started. Company’s chief executive officer Peter Goodwin’s is focussed on mentoring Papua New Guineans.

His leadership is about always working and planning ahead while trying to build a ‘teamwork’ culture. So far, I’ve learnt from him that you have be outcome-driven, and to do that you have to be forthright and honest.”

The Remington Group has been serving Papua New Guinea as the premier company for printing and business solutions since 1948.

We sell and service world class brands across printer, copier and office industries.

The Remington Group takes pride in recruiting candidates based on merit.

We are an equal opportunity employer focused firmly on gender equality, non-ageist policies, and the development of the PNG national workforce.

Go to this link for more: https://postcourier.com.pg/challenges-opportunities-says-young-trainee/

Captain Beverly Pakii makes history

Posted by Air Niugini

A young Papua New Guinean pilot has made history by becoming the first female in Air Niugini’s pilot cadet program to operate a Dash 8 aircraft.

The 29 year old captain, who has a mixed parentage of Enga and Morobe, operated her first commercial flight on 12 March 2015. She flew from Port Moresby to Lihir in New Ireland, continued to Tokua airport in East New Britain and then flew back to Port Moresby.

The Dash 8 aircraft used for the flight belongs to Link PNG – one of Air Niugini’s subsidiary companies.

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Simon Foo congratulated Captain Pakii on her remarkable achievement, noting that a lot of money and resources are invested into training pilots and engineers every year, and that results like these are encouraging for other female pilots in the program.

“Captain Pakii set very high standards throughout her time in the program,” he said.

“Not only has she shown dedication and commitment in all aspects of her work, but she’s also modest about her achievements. Air Niugini congratulates Captain Pakii on this milestone in her career. She is a true role model to other aspiring female pilots.”

Captain Pakii started with Air Niugini as a cadet in 2004. She completed her training at PPT Flying School at Coffs Harbour in Australia where Air Niugini sends its cadets every year.

After completing her studies in 2006, Miss Pakii returned to Air Niugini where she worked as a First Officer on a Dash 8 aircraft to complete the minimum hours required for all cadets. She then completed her Command Practice hours in preparation for becoming a captain.

It took the young pilot 10 years to work her way through the comprehensive and challenging pilot training program before she was able to take command of a Dash 8 aircraft.

Beverly is not the only one in her family with a passion for flying. Her father, Captain Ted Pakii, became an Air Niugini pilot in 1994 after working in the PNG Defence Force. During his time with the airline he operated several types of aircraft types including a Dash 7 and a Boeing 767.

Air Niugini currently has 50 cadet pilots, including Captain Pakii and four other females.

Go to this link for more: http://www.airniugini.com.pg/about-us/news/third-news/