Alumni Feature - Methuselah Wabiria
Written by Methuselah Wabiria, Introduction by The Voice Inc.
Posted on 04 June 2019
In light of recent events, we can't help but reflect on how far we've come as individuals, as a people and as a country. If anything, it is progress. We are slowly becoming true to our culture, our roots, our religion and history and most of all our selves. This week we share a feature on Methuselah Wabiria - "The Conservative Economist". Methuselah joined TVI in 2014. He shares his insight on history, leadership and life growing up as a young Papua New Guinean man in this time.
Please read and enjoy our 9th Alumni Feature.
Some of the fondest memories I had growing up were the days spent with my friends and kids in my home suburb of Gerehu in NCD. When I was a kid I would team up with the boys on the street after school, especially after Malolo Club during school holidays, climbing mango trees and singing our favourite local hit songs ranged from Jnr Kopex to K-mala to even Gedix. We would get into much trouble with our parents since we were “disturbing the peace” at most times but it was fun. We played everything from touch peggy to rugby and all sorts and enjoyed each others company. Gerehu was one of the best suburbs to grow up in. It was walking distance from everything for me; shops, markets and mainly schools since I went to attended Port Moresby Christian Academy, Gerehu Primary School, Port Moresby National High School (POMNATHS) and University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).
Another fond memory of mine would be addressing a crowd at an NRL game during half time. Kokoda Track Foundation was hosted by the Cronulla Sharks during ANZAC day match with the Canberra Raiders. I was a 2017 recipient of the Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF) Scholarship when I attended UPNG doing my final year in Economics. I was given that opportunity to speak in front of 22,000 plus people. You can imagine ANZAC weekend and the holding capacity of the stadium. From my humble mango tree days to addressing an international audience, the experiences were humbling. Those who were present at the game and who spoke to me afterwards were grateful we shared the same sentiment and value for ANZAC day so it was a great atmosphere all around. I shared about the trip I had so far with KTF. I shook a lot of hands with a lot of the players. The experience and exposure were a thrill. Who would have though a Mango tree singing kid from the infamous suburb of Gerehu would have this opportunity? It was definitely an awakening in the mindset, a new shift of thought in the countless possibilities out there.
Like any ordinary PNG kid I grew up admiring the greats in Rugby, and also the greats in politics and leadership. Leaders, the likes of Mahatma Ghandi and Winston Churchill, and my very own grandfather. These were powerful influencers who led with their own style that were unique to them. What stood out to me was their varied brands of leadership, it was a signature, a call to action that you feel in your soul when you hear their name or see a picture of their face. Mahatma Ghandi had a subtle brand; Winston Churchill was strong and tough in decision-making. And my own grandfather, Andrew Wabiria who was elected to the first House of Representatives (known as the Parliament back then) on behalf of the people of Hela. He wanted to bring Hela together. He along with a few others pushed for Hela’s independence. His style of leadership was subtle yet powerful. There was a deeper consideration to the things he did and the word he spoke, and his very presence demanded respect. He spoke Huli, Old Motu, Engan, and Duna. He literally drew Hela’s boundaries in the map of PNG, taking in territories and people that were mistakenly placed with Enga (part of Western Highlands back then), and the Sepiks.
In terms of modern political role models, none come close to Sir Mekere Morauta for me. As an economist, looking at what he has contributed to the country in times of crisis and I would hate to imagine what PNG would be like had it not been for him. I want to be the Sir Mekere of Hela Province. Also, I can not look past the first Hela Man to be named Prime Minister of this great nation: Hon. James Marape. I did spend some time working for him, and I can say without bias that he has the right temperament to lead this country through what is expected to be difficult times. He is a man of God, and there is no higher qualifying trait, in my opinion.
My own leadership journey began to take shape shortly after joining the The Voice Inc (TVI). I came into TVI with set expectations of how leaders behaved, how responsibility for innovation and direction lied solely with the person in front. Through TVI, I learned to rely on the collective competence of the group, that leadership is not a solo job, and that admitting relying on others does not diminish you as a leader.
I joined the Leadership Development Program as soon as I started my first year in UPNG in 2014. I was fresh out of high school where I held many titles: a former YACA president, and debates coordinator, SRC chairperson for school events. I joined TVI after high school thinking I had my leadership style cemented for life. I had heard about the Voice from a school visit they did the previous year to share about the Dream, the Voice and Youth Power. It was compelling and eventually I learnt it was worth so much to my personal development. In fact getting to this state in life wasn’t easy and I was certain to make the most of whatever that came across me. I actually had a gap year from school before attending POMNATHS, where I took a year off school due to personal reasons. So going back to school, I was not letting any opportunity to contribute pass me by, which why I had so many extracurricular activities.
The happiest moment of my life, and I am not overstating, I had tears of joy from it, was when I saw my name on the OHE list of 2014 intakes to study my life’s passion: Economics. We were told that over 5,300 students put Economics on their SLFs, and only 27 of us were accepted. With such disparity and limited access, I felt I owed to my fellow countrymen to use my degree for the betterment of PNG. People claim that education is a right, but in truth it’s a privilege in PNG, and I feel that I need to use my privilege to help those left behind by the system.
I just got employed with Kina Funds Management as an investment analyst. It is everything I have ever wanted to do with my degree. Financial Markets is more than a career, it is my quest of calling that every boy at the cusp of manhood seeks to carve his own legacy and make a name for him. I could hold my end in mathematics and analytics, so with an economics degree I pursued this career. Ultimately, as a career man, I want to be respected as a World-class Papua New Guinean Economist.
I believe "God has blessed our nation with cultures that are uniquely ours, so vibrant in its displays; so intricate in its complexities. The decades of education and heights of a career should never divorce us from the deep history of our people."