Meanwhile I am seeing a more intelligent and brilliant young generation rising up.

They do not have colonised mindsets. They don't accept the status quo. They are global citizens.

Whether they are in a village, settlement or urban centre, many are moving with determination and confidence and their talents are phenomenally capable of making a mark for Papua New Guinea in the world.

We are but 45 years old.

Just a baby nation.

Many times it's easy to feel anxious that PNG isn't progressing, but these are just the growing pains.

In fact many nations when they were just 45 years old were in very dark places.

Yet they matured and grew up and became the great thriving economies they now are.

It isn't easy for a land of a thousand tribes and 830 languages to suddenly merge together with their plethora of customs, cultures and mindsets to be as this diverse and yet so united.

The hope is our youth. They shouldn't be dismissed and ridiculed. They must be embraced and nurtured to take up the fight from when we step down.

We are marching to a better future. The key is resilience and a positive can-do mindset.

The naysayers and critics and cannot mindsets are also useful. Don't dismiss them.

They challenge us and energise us in necessary ways to move us all forward and upward.

Our role is to be guardians of a greater PNG and a future we own, to encourage them and help them fight this war for true freedom.

And it will happen. People are no longer easily fooled. There are still many sheeple. But amongst them are rising lions.

Have a great day Papua New Guinea. Be proud of your place in this world. It's no longer just their world. It's ours too.