Students and teachers in the Hela Province took the time on Tuesday morning to remember the passing of the late Sir Rabbie Namaliu and paid their last respect.
Hela education director Ronny Angu said although several schools were caught by surprise of the declaration of the public holiday, the students and teachers who turned up at the school yesterday morning took time to pay their respect to the late Sir Rabbie Namaliu by observing a moment of silent and by lowering the country’s flag at half-mast.
He said the students and teachers on behalf of the education sector in Hela conveyed their condolences to the children and the families of the late Sir Rabbie, the people of Kokopo, East New Britain and PNG, at the passing of a great leader who contributed immensely to the development of this country as a public servant and as a member of Parliament and prime minister.
The condolence message from the students and teachers read:
It is with deep sadness that we express our condolences and pay tribute to the late Sir Rabbie Namaliu, a distinguished leader and former prime minister of Papua New Guinea, who passed away recently. We mourn the loss of a great statesman, who made invaluable contributions towards our country’s progress and development.
Sir Rabbie Namaliu’s unwavering commitment to democratic values, leadership, and nation building deserves recognition and appreciation, as he exemplified the finest qualities of public service. We acknowledge his significant role in shaping the political landscape of our nation and his dedication to social welfare and empowerment of the people.
As a school and education fraternity in the Hela Province, we join hands in honouring his remarkable legacy and expressing our respect for his profound impact on our society. His lifelong dedication to education and intellectual inquiry remains an inspiration to all of us, as we strive to uphold his values and principles.
We offer our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones, as well as to the people of Papua New Guinea. May his soul rest in peace, and his memory be forever cherished in our hearts.