Tribute to Grand Chief Sir Michael

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare: The Father of Papua New Guinea

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare led Papua New Guinea from colonial rule to independence. His leadership shaped the nation’s identity and set a foundation for governance, democracy, and unity.

Early Life and Political Rise

Born on April 9, 1936, in Rabaul, Somare was raised in Wewak, East Sepik. He trained as a teacher and later worked as a broadcaster. His engagement in public discourse fueled his interest in politics, leading to the formation of the Pangu Pati in 1967. His vision for self-governance gained traction, positioning him as a key figure in the push for independence.

Leading Papua New Guinea to Independence

In 1972, Somare became Chief Minister, steering negotiations with Australia for self-rule. On September 16, 1975, Papua New Guinea became an independent nation, with Somare as its first Prime Minister. His leadership emphasized national unity, political stability, and economic development.

A Legacy of Leadership

Somare served four terms as Prime Minister, guiding the country through transitions and challenges. His policies supported infrastructure, education, and foreign relations. He believed in maintaining Papua New Guinea’s unique cultural identity while engaging globally.

Final Years and Passing

Retiring from politics in 2017, Somare remained a respected statesman. He passed away on February 26, 2021. His death marked the end of an era, but his contributions continue to influence the nation.

Remembering Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare

Sir Michael Somare’s leadership shaped Papua New Guinea’s independence and governance. His dedication to national unity and development leaves a lasting impact. His legacy serves as a reminder of the responsibility leaders hold in shaping a nation’s future.

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Telecoms: ePSK - Multiple Pre-Shared Keys

Originally posted on the Cambium Community Networks Just in case you missed it cnMaestro Version 2.2.1 (Cloud and On-Premise), brings us a great new feature called ePSK. If you’re not familiar with ePSK it’s maybe because Cambium are too modest to toot their own trumpet so I’m going to do it for them. In short ePSK gives each user a unique PSK (pre-shared key) when using WPA2-Personal, for me to explain why this is such a useful feature let me first explain the problem with using a shared PSK across the whole WLAN. When a wireless client connects to an AP it completes a 4-Way handshake, this generates the encryption keys used to encrypt wireless traffic. For the 4-way handshake to work it is a requirement that both the client and AP know the passphrase, however the passphrase is never transmitted over the air thereby making this exchange reasonably secure. But what happens when a 3rd party already knows the passphrase? It means they just need to capture the 4-way handshake to gener...

7 Apps You Should Delete Right Now And Why the Law Makes Them Dangerous

There is a conversation happening in security research circles, government agencies, and regulatory bodies around the world, and most Papua New Guineans are not part of it. It concerns a small group of applications that sit on hundreds of millions of Android and iOS devices, including many in PNG, quietly running in the background, collecting data, and transmitting that data to servers governed by a legal system that has no obligation to protect you. In PNG, where mobile phones are the primary gateway to banking, communication, and identity, this risk is amplified. For many users, a smartphone is not just a device. It is their wallet, their ID, and their connection to essential services. This is not about a theoretical vulnerability or an obscure technical exploit. It is about the intersection of consumer software and national law, specifically the legal architecture that governs what foreign technology companies must do when their government asks for your data. The Legal Foun...

Tales of Somare: An old man loses a friend

Originally posted by Lucy Kopana on Facebook 82-year-old Nanong Gideon Ahe placed a hand on his chest and managed to utter through his tears, "em barata dai ya". He wiped his tears and looked down at the photo he had in his hand. It was a laminated picture of him and his schoolmates at the Administrative College in Port Moresy, in 1965. Lapun Nanong pointed to where he was in the photo and went on to call his mates by name, and where they were from. Amongst them were Albert Maori Kiki, Jerry Nalau, and Michael Somare to name a few. These were the founding members of the Bully Beef Club that was formed at the Administrative College. "Mipla olgeta sanap ya, liklik liklik tingting mipla i save tromoi lo taim blo kaikai rais wantem bully beef ya." While the three and others in the club chose the political path and went on to becoming key figures in PNG politics - Nanong Ahe chose a path in the civil service. He paid tribute to his friend, the late Sir Michael Somare...

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