Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology and Sports, Wesley Raminai, has announced the cancellation of the planned official opening of Western Pacific University in respect for the loss of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
In a statement this afternoon, Raminai said the opening ceremony that was scheduled to take place in Ialibu, Southern Highlands province in March 01, 2021 has been postponed to a later date.
He also announced that the graduation ceremony of the Divine Word University (DWU) that was scheduled to take place on March 12 was also being rescheduled.
“This is in respect for the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who passed away on February 26 that has placed the nation in a deep state of mourning,” Raminai said.
Meanwhile, Minister Raminai on behalf of the Ministry of Sport and Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology and his people of Kagua-Erave passed his deepest condolences to the family of Sir Michael, the founding father of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Raminai said following a special National Executive Council Meeting on Friday, Prime Minister James Marape announced a two week mourning period which starts on March 01 with a public holiday declared for the country.
“The special period of mourning ends on 12 March, during which it is planned that a state funeral will be held to farewell the iconic leader of this country and the Pacific.”
Raminai said Sir Michael’s visionary leadership for this country is well documented and over the next weeks a nationwide initiative will detail many of these crucial achievements of the great man.
He said Sir Michael as Chief Minister following elections in 1972 led the country to self-government on 1 December 1973, and subsequently became our country’s first Prime Minister when Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia on 16 September, 1975.
“To be quite honest, some of us were not even born in that time so our memories of that significant chapter of our country’s history are from books, documentaries, stories that were told to us at school of this great man,” Raminai said.
“I am humbled to be even talking about this great leader. I humbly relay my sincere and deepest condolences to Lady Veronica and her children and the family of the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, his relatives and the people of East Sepik for sharing him with us.
“We have little choice but as a sign of respect like everyone else in the country, we have to cancel events that were planned for over the next few weeks.
“This include the opening of the Western Pacific University which was set for 1 March, an important event but we have to re-schedule as a mark of respect,” the Minister said.
Raminai said it is also the same for the graduation ceremony of the Divine Word University in Madang, which will be re-scheduled to another date.
Good Decision, Mr. Minister Raminai