By Dalcy Lulua
In a jubilant blend of culture and commerce, the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) marked Papua New Guinea’s 50th Jubilee Independence with a celebration that stitched together the nation’s past, present, and a resilient future.
At the heart of the gathering was OPIC General Secretary Kepson Pupita, who urged officers and staff to double their efforts as the country steps into another half-century of independence. The message was clear: invest in people, invest in land, and build a future where economic independence is within reach for every family.
“For the next 50 years, we must stand with our children-those still in school, those pursuing higher learning, and those who serve in OPIC across management, extension, and field roles,” Mr Pupita told the crowd. “We must create an environment that enables them to transform their lives and become economically independent. That is how we lift our communities out of poverty.”
Mr Pupita laid out a bold vision for growth in the agricultural sector. He spoke of expanding land under cultivation and creating millions of jobs, particularly within the oil palm sub-sector. “If we can grow a million hectares and generate two to three million employment opportunities, we will strengthen our nation’s backbone—the agricultural sector.”
The speech also touched on the intimate ties between work, family, and national progress. “I wish for a successful future for our employees and for the families who stand behind them—the husbands, wives, and children who support them. A thriving sector will become a pillar of our country’s economic development,” he said, emphasizing a shared responsibility in realizing these goals.
Nods to the country’s history placed the celebration in a wider context.
Mr Pupita recalled the days before independence when simple trips to town required a clear purpose, contrasting those constraints with today’s more autonomous landscape.
“We are celebrating 50 years of independence-an era where much is possible through our own choices and the strength of our communities,” he remarked.
Beyond rhetoric, the event exuded a festive energy that reflected PNG’s cultural mosaic. Dancers from Nakanai in New Ireland Province performed to represent the Niugini Island region, while groups from Morobe, the Highlands, and the Central Province offered arrangements that illustrated the country’s regional diversity. It was a dynamic tapestry-music, movement, and color-that underscored a shared sense of pride.
Children brightened the scene with games and chants, their laughter weaving through the live band and karaoke sessions that carried the celebration into the evening. Attendees described the day as a success, noting the joyful atmosphere and the sense that the country, like OPIC, stands ready for the next 50 years of growth.
As the sun set on the celebration, the sense of possibility lingered in the air. This Jubilee was not just a tribute to a half-century of independence; It was a call to action for a generation charged with shaping PNG’s agricultural future-one that honors tradition while embracing opportunity.