We have a responsibility in making certain that we hand over a better, loving community not just to our sons, but to our daughters as well.
This was what the 2015-2016 Men of Honour awards keynote speaker, Lieutenant General David Morrison, said during the event on April 15.
“I really applaud the initiative of Digicel and the sponsors in finding men of honour in Papua New Guinea,” the 2016 Australian of the Year stated.
There were five community categories for this year with three finalists each.
For the Community Education Champion category, the finalists were Andrew Tagolaha Bubu (Valoka Village, West New Britain), Clayton Tuata (Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville) and Pr James Toaripi (Malalaua, Gulf). Bubu received the award for that category.
For Sporting Mentor, George Tidman (Sabama, National Capital District), Kevin Edahosi (Barabara Village, Milne Bay) and Arebo Taumaku (Porebada Village, Central Province), were the finalists. Edahosi was the final choice.
Vincent P Ambane Kumura (Snow Pass, Madang), Noel Steven Simaga (Bogaboga village, Milne Bay) and Tuem Narawec (Banz, Jiwaka), were the finalists of the Community Ingenuity category. Kumura took out the award for that category.
The Community Leadership category saw Ongensa Tikikus Igah (Bulolo, Morobe), Darius Sipiken (Tamba Community, West New Britain) and Willie Doaemo (Unitech, Morobe), as the finalists. Doaemo was the judges’ final pick.
Last but not least was the Community Entrepreneur category. The finalists were Goimba Kot (Ambra Village, Western Highlands), Billy Aisi (Hohola, National Capital District) and Peter Dupai (Tamal Village, Western Highlands). Kot scooped up the award for that group.
Out of these outstanding male leaders, 72-year-old Bubu was awarded the man of honour.
Bubu is a beacon of hope for his community back in West New Britain Province. He has been voluntarily counselling youngsters in his village for 56 years.
Digicel Foundation’s second Men of Honour awards was held at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby. The event is basically a campaign against violence in Papua New Guinea.
Picture: Michelle Westmorland