PNG Parliamentary Opposition Leader James Nomane urged the law students last night at UPNG’s Waigani Campus in Port Moresby to uphold justice, defend the vulnerable and protect the rule of law as guardians of the nation’s Constitution.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Law Students’ Society’s Reset 50: Constitutional Guardians Rising programme.
Related news: https://www.postcourier.com.pg/nomane-challenges-snk-students-to-set-goals-and-uphold-integrity/
Mr. Nomane said the closing ceremony was worthy of its theme, with updates from every committee showing discipline, energy and a genuine passion for becoming lawyers.
He thanked the President of the Law Students’ Society, Ms. Shellian Pius, and the organizing committee for a superbly run event.
He also thanked Ms. Ruth Kissam, General Manager for Corporate Affairs at Steamships Ltd, for her powerful encouragement on developing the right values, and Mr. Stephen Pokawin, Executive Dean of the UPNG School of Law, for his words and pragmatic guidance.
Opposition Leader Nomane said he started his address with a lesson on time management and veracity and challenged the soon-to-be lawyers to make law a noble profession because they would defend the vulnerable and uphold justice.
“Inevitably, they would contribute to the country’s success or be part of the problem, because they would be responsible for the peace and good order of society,” he said.
“After all, we are nation of laws.”
Opposition Leader Nomane encouraged the students to be focused like Nikola Tesla, saying total immersion avoids distraction and leads to success.
He urged them to be composed like Niccolò Machiavelli, so that reason, not emotion, guides their judgment; to have infectious conviction like Steve Jobs and avoid the adage that “mediocrity breeds mediocrity”; to be prepared like Sun Tzu, so that every case is won before it is argued; and to be resilient like Viktor Frankl, so that whatever happens, they choose their response.
“To every student facing examinations: prepare relentlessly, stay calm, and walk in already having won,” he said, wishing them every success and God’s blessing.
Opposition Leader Nomane also thanked the sponsors and encouraged them to continue investing in law students through mentoring, moots and internships for careers at the bar, on the bench, in the private sector and in public service.
“Strong lawyers with a strong moral compass build a strong nation,” he said.
Mr. Nomane thanked the Law Students’ Society again for the invitation and reminded the students that the Constitution must be defended by faithful and fearless lawyers.
“In 2026, rise as its faithful, fearless guardians,” he said.