BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
ADVANCING Solomon Islands for a better tomorrow needs cooperation and partnership amongst everyone.
That was according to Rokera Provincial Secondary School Principal, Mr Robert Solomon Tatahano on Friday 8th July when the school marked the country’s 44th Independence.
The event was held at Rokera provincial secondary school compound in small Malaita, Malaita province.
“I am humbled and honoured to be given this privilege to speak to us on behalf of the government of the Solomon Islands and Solomon Islands as a whole,’’ Mr Tatahano revealed on Friday.
He said that leading a nation or a government is not an easy undertaking and there are no easy solutions to the many problems the Solomon Islands is facing.
“To advance this beautiful nation of ours to a better tomorrow it is appropriate to work in partnership on meaningful changes or reforms.
“To run a government or Nation for that matter, is a great task and there are no easy answers or solutions to our numerous problems and challenges,’’ he said.
He added that “however to allow us better in governing our nation, understanding history would be a key to a better solution which would remind us of our responsibility to each other and for our nation Solomon Islands,’’ he said.
“That we must not forget the past but need to learn from our previous failures and weakness, hence it is appropriate that we work in partnership on meaningful reforms to advance this beautiful nation of ours to a better tomorrow.
“Being said that, 1978 when the first group of parliament under the leadership of late sir peter kenilorea went to England, almost all of them are old men. We can mention some of them.
“Ben Tumulima for central Ngella was a polio man and he went to England, one from North Malaita, he only wears torn clothe, he went to England, Emilio li’i for small Malaita constituency he went to England and those old people we remember their hard work and what they did for us as we are now here today celebrating the 44 years of independence,’’ he told the students.
He said that being independent means being separated and doing things for ourselves. Being dependent is leaning on someone else for assistance or help.
“Since 1978 under the leadership of sir peter kenilorea as the prime minister, Solomon Islands experience much of forwards and backwards under the leadership of 12 different prime ministers till we were separated from England to be an independent nation under the leadership of Sir late Prime minister Peter kenilorea,’’ he said.
“I must congratulate everyone. Our National leaders and provincial leaders, men, women and children, chiefs, church leaders of our beautiful nation Solomon islands, a happy and peaceful 44th years of Independence anniversary celebration of our country SI,’’ voiced Tatahanio.
The program started with a parade from the schools’ different seven zone cultural groups followed by speeches and ended with a small get-together with students and entertainment.
