Unsuspecting Ipatas earns the title of Grand Chief
By DAVID GONOL
GRAND
CHIEF is a very honourable title. It awarded to anyone who has given
all of himself to the course of the nation of Papua New Guinea.
He has lived for nothing
but Papua New Guinea. He has talked about nothing but Papua New
Guinea. He has dreamed about nothing but a better Papua New Guinea. He
has sacrificed his and his family’s time for Papua New Guinea. He has
carried Papua New Guinea in his heart like kangaroos’ carry their babies
in their pouches.
His achievements are
extraordinary. Without them PNG would never have arrived at this stage.
All Papua New Guinea has no option but to see him as a leader of all
other leaders.
Sir Michael Somare is
indisputably qualified for the title. It was right and proper that it
was bestowed. When it was awarded, the whole of PNG bowed in adoration
and concurrence.
Nobody attains the title
of Grand Chief overnight. It is not treated as awards from the Queen of
England, which are at times handed out to political cronies without
proper qualifications.
The title of Grand Chief
lies at the heart and soul of PNG. It is indeed a grand title. Nobody
wears it unnecessarily. Only those who deserve it receive it.
Now, Papua New Guinea, Enga’s governor Peter Ipatas is your youngest Grand Chief.
PNG has bestowed this most
sacred title on one of its unsuspected sons and, in gaining it, Ipatas
has bypassed several senior statesmen.
He has bypassed former prime ministers Sir Julius Chan, Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Paias Wingti to name just a few.
Ipatas has achieved so many things, but two normally come to attention: his wholehearted support for rugby league and education.
Some people may view these
achievements as not significant enough to warrant the title of Grand
Chief, but he has attained it anyway.
It remains for us to
simply convey our congratulations to him for receiving the title
unsuspectingly after it bypassed other senior and well qualified
citizens of Papua New Guinea.
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