Image: A last salute to the former vice regal before being lowered down for burial at Suanga Village, Tinputz
Deputy Speaker of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Francesca Semoso said that the late Sir Michael Ogio has created history being the first Bougainvillean elected to the Vice Regal Post, of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Speaking at the state funeral and burial yesterday at Suanga Village in Tinputz, he said it was a proud moment for Bougainville having its own son to be elected into this highest ranking post.
“Who knows, he may be the first and the last to have come from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” she said.
Many tributes described him as a simple man who has left a vacuum of this kind of leadership quality.
Sir Michael is one of the heroes of peace negotiations during, and after the civil war on the island of Bougainville.
From a simple educationist, Sir Michael became an influential leader at various fronts inlcuding the political front, as North Bougainville MP with several ministerial duties.
Yesterday, the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville paid their last respect to this great man at the state funeral.
The body of the late Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio, was laid to rest at his home soil.
The casket was then gracefully lowered with security forces paying their last salute to the late Governor General.
