Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has urged young Papua New Guineans to use their education and talents not only for personal advancement but also to serve their people and strengthen the nation from the ground up.

Prime Minister Marape highlighted the inspiring story of Hon. Vincent Ambane Kumura, MP for Usino-Bundi-Gama Open, Madang Province, as an example of the type of leadership needed as Papua New Guinea prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence.

Vincent Kumura excelled in his education abroad, graduating with honours at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama (2004–2008) with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Marketing. He went on to earn a dual Master of Business Administration degree with honours from La Sierra University in Riverside, California (2010–2012).

With strong qualifications and employment opportunities secured — including an offer to work with Global Business Inc., a marketing firm in Tysons Corner, Virginia — Kumura could have pursued a career overseas. Instead, after a short stay in Adelaide, South Australia, he chose to return home to remote Bundi in December 2013.

“Here is a young Papua New Guinean who had the world at his feet, yet he made the choice to return home, live among his people, and serve his community,” Prime Minister Marape said. “This is the type of leadership and sacrifice our nation needs as we mark 50 years of independence.”

Since returning, Vincent Kumura has dedicated himself to community service by establishing the Kumura Foundation, a community-based organisation that supports rural education, rural health, and sustainable development. His foundation has already impacted over 28,000 rural lives.

Among its achievements are:

1.       Annual ‘Travel2Change’ Rural Medical Patrols

Teams of volunteer Bundi youth trekkers and medical officers walk for days into extremely remote areas such as Bundi, Jimi, Simbai, Kokoda, Teptep, and Gama, bringing medicines and treatment to villages where no clinics or doctors exist. To date, over 12,000 patients have been treated, with four critical medevacs conducted to provincial hospitals.

2.       Educating Orphans of Bundi Project

Since 2019, the foundation has relocated more than 70 disadvantaged children — 60% orphans and 40% from remote Bundi border regions — to Chimbu’s Gembogl, where they are enrolled as boarding students. Without this intervention, most would never have had the chance to receive an education.

Prime Minister Marape said these were “remarkable stories for our country” and powerful examples of how educated Papua New Guineans can use their knowledge and skills to directly impact lives.

He drew parallels with his own path after graduating from the University of Papua New Guinea in 1993. Rather than remain in Port Moresby, he returned to his village in Hela Province, where he lived for over eight years.

“Education is not only for employment. Education gives you enlightenment to make correct choices,” he said. “Our Constitution guarantees land ownership for our citizens. That land can house you, feed you, and allow you to generate income. With today’s tools — from ICT and e-commerce to agriculture and tourism — educated Papua New Guineans can build thriving communities at home.”

Prime Minister Marape also reminded citizens that one of the greatest gifts of the Constitution is the non-alienation of land, which must be harnessed productively by the next generation.

“As we celebrate 50 years of independence, I call on every educated Papua New Guinean: return home, exercise leadership, and build peace and prosperity where your roots are,” he said. “Look at Vincent Kumura’s story — instead of living under the bright lights of the United States, he came back to serve his people, impacted thousands of lives, and today stands as a leader in our country. This is the type of citizenship our nation needs.”

The Prime Minister stressed that Papua New Guinea’s progress depends not only on government policy but also on the willingness of its educated citizens to serve in their communities, lift living standards, and become agents of peace and development.