ABG Chief Secretary Condolence Statement on Late Dr Henry Okole
It is with great sadness to accept the sudden passing of Late Dr Henry Tadap Okole, Phd, who was recently appointed as Director, National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA).
Late Dr Henry Okole, PhD, hails from Ravat village, Raluana LLG, Kokopo District, East New Britain Province.
Prior to his confirmation as Director, NCOBA, in December 2020, he served as the technical advisor under DFAT Managing Contractor Abt PNG Management Services on Bougainville issues. In that role he supported important policy and legislative changes that were discussed at the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) level. His academic and research capabilities was a bonus for the NCOBA and both Governments (GoPNG and ABG).
During his tenure, he was heavily involved in the determination of referendum questions that were put to both Governments to agree for the 2019 Bougainville Referendum on Independence.
His recent work titled “Papua New Guinea and Bougainville: Origins of Crisis and Implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement” forms a background paper to the Joint Consultation between the two Governments (ABG and GoPNG) in the post referendum period.
Bougainville is blessed with leading PNG intellectuals in post crisis period who sacrificed other job opportunities to support our quest for self-determination. Dr Henry Okole, PhD was a specialist in decentralisation policy, and have written extensively on the Bougainville quest for greater powers and eventual independence. His policy advice on devolving political, administrative and financial powers from the Central Government to sub national levels of government will remain a blueprint policy advice for current and successive Governments.
Late Dr Henry Okole, PhD, is a nationally renowned political scientist who taught at the University of Papua New Guinea, a senior research fellow with the National Research Institute, a former international staff member of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States in Belgium, and was an Adjunct Research Fellow to the La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
He is part a very few PNG strategic thinkers and architect of nation-building through sound policy advice and strategic planning.
East New Britain province have surely contributed immensely to the rebuilding of Bougainville, and Late Dr Henry Tadap Okole, Phd was an advocate of this friendship as our NGI neighbours.
I sincerely thank the East New Britain people for giving us a champion diplomacy in achieving peace through peaceful means.
The Autonomous Bougainville Administration (ABA) has surely lost a friend and champion of the Bougainville issues.
I take this time to express sincere condolences to Mrs Velin Okole, daughters Dianne, Ruby and Abigail, grandchildren, immediate relatives of East New Britain, colleagues and friends.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
SHADRACH HIMATA
Acting Chief Secretary
[ Back to News ]
