Deputy Prime Minister and Lae MP Hon. John Rosso returned to Passam National School of Excellence on Thursday, October 8, 2026, delivering a powerful charge to 231 graduating Grade 12 students to build their futures on the foundations of character, discipline, and national unity.

Serving as the Guest of Honour for the school's 44th Annual Grade 12 Graduation and fifth Grade 12 STEM Graduation, Rosso's visit marked an emotional homecoming 42 years after he attended the institution as a student in 1983 and 1984.

To mark the milestone, the Deputy Prime Minister delivered substantial infrastructure support, including a K500,000 donation for ongoing school development projects, the official opening of a new K1 million Mathematics Block funded through his office, and the handover of a brand-new 26-seater school bus.

"Coming back to Wewak is like coming back home," Deputy Prime Minister Rosso stated. "As a teenager who arrived here in Passam in 1983 to 1984 and till now we see another crop of students graduating.”

“I would like to say a very big thank you [to the traditional landowners] for looking after all of us who have attended this school."

Addressing the graduates, he urged them to carry Passam’s values into further education, employment and public life, highlighting respect, perseverance, attitude, and hard work.

“There’s no point demanding respect when you don’t offer respect to other people," Rosso told the graduates. "The only secret to success is your attitude, respect one another, perseverance and hard work.”

Invoking the school's traditional motto, "Nuo Yekende, M’Ne Yekende" (respect others and respect yourself), he challenged the students to choose their peers wisely and protect their integrity. He also highlighted the historical role of National Schools of Excellence as essential pillars of national integration.

“You have to bring people from all cultural backgrounds, put them into an institution, teach them and get them ready to build the nation. It was a unification factor,” Rosso added.

The Deputy Prime Minister extended formal appreciation to the traditional landowners of Passam and Paliama for hosting the institution since 1979. He also credited Principal Samson Pitiki, the teaching staff, the governing council, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, and the provincial administration for their shared vision in maintaining the school's legacy of excellence.

The graduation ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation of dignitaries, including Wewak MP Stanley Samban and West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou.