NEWSPAGE 15 January
2010

(Photo: Pacific Music Awards Trust)

NEW ZEALAND: The countdown is on to the 2010 S3 Pacific Music Awards!

SAMOA: A gift of music for royalty
Source: Samoa Observer

The Head of State’s love of music has resulted in a special gift from a special Samoan.

Award-winning musician Lealaitagomoa Asuao Felise Mikaele visited His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi to present him a gift, at Tuaefu.

“When I last met with the Head State, he told me that when I return to Samoa and have spare time, come and visit him and bring some CDs and DVDs,” said Lealaitagomoa.

“And this is why I have come here. I want to present him some CDs and DVDs (music videos) as we all know the old man loves music.”

Lealaitagomoa has been a musician for 30 years. He divides his time between New Zealand and Australia.

The recipient of the 1999 Gold Award for Best Selling Samoan Album has released more than 20 albums, 90 music videos and conducted 99 live concerts world wide.

Lealaitagomoa said he also wanted expert advice into traditions and Samoan language.

“As you are well aware, the old man is well informed in these matters and so I am here to ask for advice and his help in order to create and compose music,” he said.

His Highness Tui Atua returned the favour by presenting Lealaitagomoa with a copy of his book, ‘Suesue Manogi’.

He thanked the musician for his work, acknowledging the key role music plays in the lives of Samoans.

Music, especially Samoan songs, for example, unite Samoans all over the world, His Highness Tui Atua said.

The Head of State said the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia enjoys dancing to the ‘Manu Samoa’ song sung by Lealaitagomoa.

The 58-year-old musician plans to return to Samoa some time soon for his 100th live concert.
Lealaitagomoa hails from Vailoa Palauli, Siumu, Manono and Si’ufaga, Falelatai.
 

(Photo: Australia-Pacific Technical College)

AUSTRALIA: Trade skills essential to progress
Source: Australia-Pacific Technical College

Speaking at the recent APTC graduation held in Idubada, Port Moresby, Acting Director General, AUSAid, Mr Peter Baxter said, "The development of a strong base of trade skills is essential for the ongoing development of any nation, and particularly so for PNG."

Mr Baxter continued, "Close partnerships with key industry stakeholders means that the APTC is geared up to help meet the trade and training needs of PNG..."

Graduating at the ceremony, ready to meet the trade needs of PNG, were 62 APTC students in Certificate III in carpentry, diesel fitting, fitting and machining, metal fabrication, and automotive.
The close nature of the relationship between APTC and local industry was endorsed by comments made by David Purcell, Ela Motors CEO and Managing Director, who said that APTC is playing a crucial role in human resource development within Ela Motors.

"The partnership with the APC is a big asset for our business here complex automotive industry in PNG, and it's a win-win for Ela Motors, PNG and PNG technicians in an increasingly complex automotive industry, that is why we will continue to support the APTC in any way we can."

Ray Ninnes Area Manager, Hastings Deering, agreed, saying, "The work that APTC is doing is clearly enhancing our efforts and those of other PNG companies who are training people through apprenticeships."

Photo Caption: A group of graduates with Mr Baxter, (left) and graduate in Certificate III Metal Fabrication, Steward Etapa in traditional dress (centre).
 

(Photos: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega)

USA: Faleomavaega congratulates Reverend Tialavea on historic occasion
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today (January 14, 2010) that Reverend Samuel “Sam” Tikeri Tialavea, Sr., the General Secretary of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS), was the Guest Chaplain of the House of Representatives who offered the opening prayer to begin today’s regular session of the Congress.

While the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, The Reverend Daniel P. Coughlin, stood close by, Rev. Tialavea spoke in both his native Samoan language and in English offering the following prayer.

“Talofa lava. Tatou tatalo. Le Atua mamalu. Le Atua paia. Le Atua e o le viiga. Silasila maia i le faamoemoe o le nei aso ma ia e faamanuia mai.”

“God of the faith of our fathers and Lord of our homage, we embrace you and one another in heart and soul, thought and mind giving you praise and trusting your faithfulness. Bless this day and our activity in your service.

“O Lord, help us to remember that proclamation from ages past, “where there is no vision, people perish.

“Enable us, therefore, to be visionary in our decision-making, particularly with those resolved in your wisdom by the leadership of our nation. Grant this Congress the ability to see, the faith to believe and the courage to leap forward in their journey of determination for tranquility and peace, upholding those virtues by which all may benefit from, in our “home of the brave and land of the free.

“God of the Most High, may your will be done, your vision be known, and your righteousness prevail, both now and forever. Amen.”

In the tradition of the Congress, Faleomavaega, as the Representative of the District in which the Guest Chaplain resides, delivered the one-minute opening speech to welcome Rev. Tialavea to the House of Representatives.

“Madam Speaker. It is my great honor and pleasure to welcome Reverend Samuel Tikeri Tialavea, Sr. to the Chamber today. Reverend Tialavea or “Sam” as he is popularly known in our Samoan community is from my District - American Samoa.”

“Rev. Tialavea is currently the General Secretary of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) - a position he has held since 2002. He was appointed Secretariat of the Partnership Consultation Committee on Ministry and Mission o f the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the CCCAS, a post he has also held since 2002. Rev. Tialavea was ordained in the mid 1990’s where he became pastor of the Bread of Life Church in Honolulu, Hawaii prior to his election as the General Secretary of the CCCAS. He is also the Chairman of the American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster that was reestablished soon after the earthquake and tsunamis that impacted American Samoa in September 29, 2009.

“This is a historic day for American Samoa. To my knowledge, Reverend Tialavea is the first ever Samoan to give the opening prayer to begin a regular House Congressional Session.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Reverend Tialavea’s lovely wife - Fa’aipoipoga who is present with us in the Gallery. Also, with her to witness this momentous occasion are Rev. Elder Leatulagi Faalevao who is Vice Chairman of the CCCAS and his wife Vagai, and Rev. Reupena Alo who is Assistant to the General Secretary of the CCCAS and his wife Deanne.

“It is my distinct honor and privilege again to welcome to the House today my good friend, Reverend Sam Tikeri Tialavea, Sr.”

Reverend Tialavea and his guests were later hosted by Congressman Faleomavaega to a luncheon in the Members Dining Room and were provided a tour of the U.S. Capitol and other historical landmarks around Washington, DC.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Rev. Sam Tialavea is presented a Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation by The Rev. Daniel Coughlin of the House of Representatives.

Photo 2 - Front row (L-R): Mrs. Vagai Faalevao, Mrs. Faaipoipoga Tialavea, and Mrs. Deanne Alo. Back row (L-R): Rev. Elder Leatulagi Faalevao, Congressman Faleomavaega, Rev. Sam Tialavea, Rev. Daniel Coughlin, and Rev. Reupena Alo.

Photo 3 - L-R: Rev. Elder Leatulagi Faalevao, Mrs. Vagai Faalevao, Rev. Reupena Alo, Mrs. Deanne Alo, Mrs. Faaipoipoga Tialavea, Rev. Sam Tialavea, and Congressman Faleomavaega.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Heads of foreign missions reminded of duty to defend national interest
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

For the first time in Vanuatu’s 30-year history since independence a joint debriefing meeting was held yesterday (January 12, 2010) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Vanuatu’s heads of diplomatic and consular missions based in Europe, China, America and the Pacific region.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Donald Kalpokas, Ambassador Willie Jimmy, Ambassador Roy Mickey Joy, Consul-General Raymond Manuake, and Honorary Consul McKenzie Kalotiti.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Joe Natuman, said the debriefing is an initiative that the government will always support to improve the performance and achievements of diplomatic and consular missions of Vanuatu in the different regions of the world.

Natuman said recently the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took a decision to terminate the appointments of all foreign nationals who were representing Vanuatu in different parts of the world.

He said this took place for two reasons.

The first reason is that the terminations were done because there was no good reporting from these offices and the second is because diplomatic and official passports that are with foreigners to comply with the new Diplomatic and Official passports Act.

At the same time Natuman said the ministry recognizes that this policy decision has affected the representation of Vanuatu in some important and strategic areas of interest for Vanuatu.

“But it is important that foreign service of Vanuatu must be one that the people who are appointed, whether foreign or ni-Vanuatu, must have passion, commitment, and proper understanding in development priorities of Vanuatu.

“Work is underway to tidy up representations of Vanuatu and I am confident that this year, the government will appoint some honorary consuls in some part of the world to complement the work of the embassies and consulate generals of Vanuatu.

“The world is changing a lot and challenges are increasing, therefore it is important to change our culture and ideologies and introduce new ways of making business.

“Because this is the first meeting (of its kind), I will welcome inputs or proposals to improve how to run such meetings in the future,” the foreign minister told those present in the room.

He then outlined the legal requirement of reporting by foreign missions.

“Public Service Act of 1998 makes it clear that Director Generals must prepare annual reports before March 31 each year and ministers are required to table ministry reports to parliament within 14 sitting days after receiving the report.

“Heads of diplomatic and consular mission report to the ministry of foreign affairs on achievements, challenges and opportunities that they went through in previous years.

“Reports of Vanuatu missions overseas form an important part of annual report of the ministry of foreign affairs.

“When the government appoints an ambassador, a consul-general or a honorary consul, its expects that person to run Vanuatu’s mission in a manner which is professional, positive, protects and defends all the time national interests of the country, according to development priorities of the government and with good accountability and transparency in their work and their financial resources,” Natuman said.

He said the government and the public must recognize that as representatives of the government in different parts of the world, diplomatic missions and consular missions of Vanuatu need to have the necessary financial and human resources to represent the government in different dialogues and negotiations with development partners such as the United Nations General Assembly and many other UN Committees in New York; ACP council of ministers and other ACP agencies and members of the European Commissioner in Brussels; different agencies of the government of the People’s Republic of China; government and institutions of New Caledonia with the large Vanuatu population there; and government agencies and farmers in New Zealand who recruit a lot of workers from Vanuatu.

“There is need to have necessary resources to maintain foreign missions and situations that may affect Vanuatu’s identity overseas.

“If the government fails to support our missions, Vanuatu will lose a lot of opportunities to support development of the people, especially in the rural area.

“At the same time, it is also important that these missions put a lot of effort to use these resources and time of the mission more efficiently to ensure that the work of foreign service can progress in a way that puts the interest of this nation and its people first,” Minister for Foreign Affairs, Joe Natuman said when opening the meeting yesterday.

Natuman commended all heads of foreign missions for the work they have been doing so far that the country has benefited from.

The heads of Vanuatu’s foreign missions also made presentations at the meeting yesterday which media was excluded from the presentations.

The meeting was hosted at the Le Lagon Resort.

Photo Caption: Ambassadors attending the debriefing meeting at Le Lagon Resort on Tuesday.
 

WORLDWIDE: Squad lists named for OFC U-20 Women’s Championship
Source: Oceania Football Confederation Press Release

The four teams set to do battle in the upcoming OFC U-20 Women’s Championship at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium have confirmed their final squad lists.

The 74 selected players from American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Tonga will compete from 21-25 January for a place at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany this July.

Originally scheduled for October last year, the OFC qualifying event had to be postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami disaster that struck American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga last September killing more than 100 people and leaving thousands homeless.

The tragedy directly affected the American Samoa U-20 women’s team with the players’ travel documents being swept away and the training field at Football Federation American Samoa’s (FFAS) headquarters badly damaged by the waves.

Fortunately, they were offered alternative training facilities at the Kananafou Theological Centre and have since returned to the FFAS fields for their final preparations ahead of the OFC championship.

All four competing nations have made changes to their original squads named back in September with American Samoa and the Cook Islands making two changes each, while Tonga and New Zealand have both made four.

Among the additions is OFC Women’s Player of the Year 2008 winner Rosie White who will be back in action for New Zealand after recovering from a foot injury she suffered in September. Meanwhile Tonga will be without experienced midfielder Sala Veamatahua who is out through injury.

The round-robin competition will be played on 21, 23 and 25 January with all six matches taking place on North Harbour Stadium’s Domain 3 (artificial turf).

For full team lists and profiles, visit: http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/Competitions/TeamList/tabid/1014/Competition/2e71f16e-f9c8-4ea7-9962-6cb69bcbb2af/Default.aspx