Happy 33rd
Yes, indeed, we have gone through some very trying times since September 16th, 1975, and it is all too easy to be a Doubting Thomas, an eternal pessimist.
But hey, let’s all be happy, as this is all our day!
A Happy 33rd Independence Day to all you Papua New Guineans living, studying and working overseas; all you wonderful people of this great land; as well as all our many friends from all over the world.
God Bless Papua New Guinea real good!
‘World Food Security; the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy’ is the theme for the 2008 World Food Day to be observed next month.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock, in an official statement, advised all stakeholders, government and agricultural agencies, provinces, non-government organisations and the public to make preparations to celebrate the event on October 16.
The statement said that a collaborative effort was required by all stakeholders to join the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in organising various activities to promote and create awareness on WFD and the theme.
The activities can include agricultural field days, farmer displays, agricultural shows, cultural and sporting events, workshops, poster and art exhibitions and others.
The annual observance of WFD by PNG is part of the global commitment to increase public awareness and understanding of the problems of hunger and poverty and emerging global issues such as climate change and bioenergy that will impact on food security.
According to Food and Agriculture Organisation, more than 850 million people worldwide suffer from hunger and malnutrition and global initiatives have been launched to reduce this figure.
The WFD is an opportunity for everyone to come together and reaffirm their commitment to address food insecurity and other associated problems in a collaborative and participatory manner with national, international, local communities and NGOs.
The 2008 theme highlights the importance of climate change and energy situation on agriculture and food security and the need for proper management of natural resource base and the environment to sustain agricultural productivity for food production and income generation to ensure food security for a growing world population.
DAL has urged government departments, agricultural agencies, NGOs, provinces, business houses and the public to join hands and celebrate WFD in their local communities on October 16 or thereafter.
Preparations are also underway for the official WFD celebrations to be held in conjunction with an agriculture road show at Bogia in the
The local community is all geared up and is working hard to organise the two-day event to celebrate World Food Day, Rural Women’s Day and promote agriculture potential and opportunities all at the same time.
In case you haven’t heard as yet, Mendi Muruks yesterday took out the SP Cup rugby league grand final for the third consecutive year with a resounding 34-14 win over Mount Hagen Eagles.
I received an email today from my old buddy and ex-Aiyura school mate, Chris Taukuro, who is based in Brisbane with wife Katherine and family.
Chris sent me pictures of New Zealand All Blacks Mils Muliana and Kevin Mealamu with his daughter Sarah Taukuro and her cousin Alu Amini.
“Hi Malum,
“If you can use these photos, here is a photo of Mils Muliaina and Kevin Mealamu with Sarah Taukuro, my daughter, and her cousin, Alu Amini.
“I was very sad to hear of Chris Kaines passing last month!! He was a dear brother!!
“Have a good day brother.
“Best regards.”
Papua New Guineans will receive a special gift when the country celebrates its independence anniversary on September 16.
They will be able to switch on to a new free to air television service with more local content and programmes—thanks to government.
NTS (National Television Service) will telecast live giving a choice to Papua New Guineans to watch a new TV service, hence provide competition to PNG’s only commercial TV station, EMTV.
EMTV is owned by Fiji-based Yasana Holdings, also owners of Fiji TV.
NTS will be operated and managed by PNG’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of which PINA (Pacific Islands News Association) president, Joseph Ealedona, is managing director.
Since independence in 1975, successive PNG governments have recognised the need to have a national television service in PNG.
In 1981, PNG NEC (National Executive Council) approved in principle the introduction of a television service of which NBC was to undertake a feasibility study on the technical, engineering, financial, management and programming aspects of the project. The process was not concluded due to the 1982 national elections.
The 1981 NEC decision was resurrected in 1989 and NBC was directed to initiate the processes to realise the service.
Prime Minister Somare in March 2007 directed NBC again to initiate the processes on NTS.
On September last year during the opening of PNG’s 8th parliament, Somare reiterated his call for the introduction of the TV service for PNG. A taskforce was established and progress so far has been successful, according to Ealedona.
The first phase will make it possible for
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Villagers from Iokea in the Gulf province were surprised to find a whale shark beached up on their shores last Sunday morning.
Thomas Auhava, curator of the
Pictures taken by Mr Auhava show a whale shark with white spots on its back.
“It’s about 6.5m long and 2m wide,” he said.
“It couldn’t get out because of shallow water.
“It’s still alive.
“It was just waiting for the tide to push it out.”
Iokea villagers took a ride on the back of the beached whale last Sunday.
