Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare and wife Madam Emmy along with their daughters Shannon and Marydale graced the 10th Christmas ‘Carols in the Islands’ programme at the Lawson Tama Stadium on Saturday night with their presence.
The Prime Minister’s participation comes as the Government for the first time this year became a co-sponsor of the annual programme introduced in 2007 by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands in collaboration with DJ Graphics and Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF).
The other sponsors in this year’s event apart from DJ Graphics and SIFF were, Our Telekom, Bank South Pacific (BSP), Soltuna, Island Enterprises Limited, Bulk Shop and the Honiara City Council.
The programme over the weekend, like all successive programmes attracted a large turnout of families from the capital and surrounding settlements.
Local musicians and one of Australia’s most talented, versatile and dynamic vocalists, Danni Da Ross who was flown here by the BSP particularly for this event, took turns to perform on stage, sending the audience cheering and dancing.
The event was made even more extra special by a series of fireworks display.
The police together with the local security firm ‘Solomon Security Services’ ensured the event was enjoyed without disturbance by carrying out a meticulous check on the audience for alcohol and potentially harmful objects at the entry gate.
The Prime Minister in his brief remarks at the occasion bade the audience a Merry Christmas celebration.
He urged them to remember the less fortunate and those experiencing any kind of problem and therefore could not celebrate Christmas like everybody else.
The Prime Minister made particular mention of the people in Makira/Ulawa Province and the southern region of Malaita who were affected by the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in the early hours of Friday 9th December 2016.
“Our hearts, of course as I am talking go out to the people of Makira who were affected by earthquake and tsunami. The latest report was not good and we are still doing assessments. Our heart goes out to them tonight.”
He said Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of a very important person in history –Jesus Christ the Saviour of Mankind- and therefore the celebration of this event should focus on him and the principles he lived and taught.
– PM Press Secretariat
