By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV, Port Moresby
The media industry in Papua New Guinea is mourning the death of well-known radio personality, Justin Hansu Kili.
The late Justin Kili MBE passed away on Saturday morning, 17 January 2015, at the Saint Mary’s Vunapope Hospital, in East New Britain Province. He died aged 61.
News of his death shocked the country, many sending condolences messages on social media.
Kili became a household name on radio starting out in the late 1970’s; known as ‘JK’ his voice was synonomous to the broadcasting industry.
From Lemanmanu village, Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, JK was “the man behind the microphone that gave taste to Papua New Guinea’s airwaves.” He had a successful radio career and commanded maximun listenership, in all programs that he hosted.
His last public appearance was at the Aropa Airport reopening, last month. Many were surprised to see and hear this well-known, long lost ‘voice of Papua New Guinea’, after the National Airports Corporation contracted him to be the Master of Ceremony.
His radio personality brands well as a joker. He cracked a joke that made Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill and the government delegation laugh and smile throughout the event.
The family of the late Kili in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and East New Britain province confirmed he was sick and hospitalised. However details of the actual cause of death, are yet to be revealed.
Social Media was flooded with condolence messages that described the late JK as a dedicated and loyal man, in his call of duties to the media industry and other areas he served.
The late Justin Kili died at the age of 61 and is survived by eight children and eleven grandchildren.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WmLKKlVe28g%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
