Tribute service honors Sir Michael

Tribute services were held across all NARI regional centres including the headquarter on 12 March which was declared a public holiday.

The event was to honor one of the founding fathers' and first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare who passed away on 26 February in Port Moresby.

At the Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre, staff were divided into three groups, HQ, MRC and Ancillary.

HQ staff gathered in front of the head office to hold a small ceremony and pay their respects, while the MRC held theirs outside the Biotech building and the Ancillary staff congregated at the Alan Quartermain hall.

Staff attired in black and the PNG flag colours, and adhering to Covid-19 protocols of social distancing, hand sanitation and wearing of face masks to mark this special tribute.

The PNG flag flew at half mast as the program began at 9 am with the singing of the national anthem, declaring the national pledge, life story of late Sir Michael was read and prayers were offered.

Staff were encouraged to follow late Sir Michael's example and recommit their lives to carry on the leadership legacy he left. This event coincided with the national Funeral Mass of late Sir Michael in Port Moresby at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium by leaders, senior government officials, family, friends and the public.