It is just over a month to go before Papua New Guinea marks its 50th Anniversary of Independence, so it is only fitting that a statue of the man who gained the country's independence stands tall at Waigani, Port Moresby city. Last evening saw the unveiling of the live size bronze statue of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare unveiled at the National Parliament House witnessed by the family of the Grand Chief, including his wife Lady Veronica Somare, the prime minister, State Ministers and Members of Parliament and foreign dignitaries invited for the significant occasion. Prime Minister James Marape in his speech said Sir Michael was more than a leader, he was the bridge between time and tradition, a state’s man whose intellect was deeply rooted in the wisdom of the ancestors and whose politics was shaped by great compassion. He said Somare united people of thousand tribes with so many languages into a single national identity known as Papua New Guinea, a country that is independent. Speaking prior to the PM was Mr. Arthur Somare, the son of the Grand Chief who used the occasion to call for good leadership to prevail in the country as PNG marks 50 years of independence. Reflecting on his father’s legacy, he said leadership must always be about the people. He said leadership is not about power, not about status, it is about all else. Service must be rooted in humility, integrity and faith in fairness and justice. “That is the legacy we are called to live up to,” said Arthur. “As we stand before this statue, we must also ask ourselves, what do we do with the legacy we inherit?” “For far too long the promise of independence, the promise of prosperity, dignity and justice for all have remained unevenly distributed. Progress has come but it has come at a cost.” “We must now ask ourselves, where now from here?” “The answer lies in our collective resolve to walk together, to work together and build together,” he said. Meanwhile, the building of the bronze statue was commissioned by parliament and was designed and built in Bali Indonesia. Following its completion, it was transported to PNG and on the evening of Thursday 7^th August, which also coincided with the 41^st Anniversary of the National Parliament House, was unveiled in front of the steps to the parliament’s door.