A Tribute to the Late Professor John Douglas Dademo Waiko

 

Hello World,

This serves as a Tribute to the late Professor John Douglas Dademo Waiko a distinguished Academic, Writer and Politician, who died on 17 November 2024 at the age of 79.

He once said his parents had been reluctant to send him to school because they feared he would not be able to look after them in their old age.

Not only did the young man go to school but he became the first Papua New Guinean to graduate with a PhD, and to be appointed a Professor and to Head the History Department at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).

His most notable Scholarly and Public Achievements are well documented in the following article article https://devpolicy.org/tribute-john-waiko-scholar-politician-20241125

John Waiko was born in the village of Tabara in the Binandere Lands. He was a proud man and Visionary Leader from the Bosida Clan. A trailblazer and intellectual giant for Oro and indeed the rest of Papua New Guinea.

My dad's elder sister my big Aunty Joyce is married into the Dademo family, so we have always affectionately  referred to him as Uncle John or the 'Professor' he is my big uncle and his views and opinions often very strong were often dismissed or misunderstood by many and were often the source of many a family tension. 

This was always the case especially since his elder brother Uncle Bob or the 'General', Robert Dademo was the former Commander of the PNG Defence Force and his last born brother Late Uncle Jeff was a  career teacher and former High School Principal. Three very strong proud Bosida personalities, something only the Binandere can understand so we often just agree to disagree in many instances. 

Apart from the many memories I have of uncle John the one that stands out most for me was a time when I must have been in high school probably grade or eight in late 1996 when my Dad and I met Uncle John at the Old Jackson's International Airport. I had always looked up to him being the Professor and from our very own tribe.

Dad called out to him in Binandere and came over to greet us. He wore an African style Oro Tapa shirt, always a trend setter. 

"Uncle I want to be just like you some day what is the your secret?" I asked as I shook his hand. In response he clenched my hand with a strong grip and looked me in the eyes and after a few seconds he spoke very sternly.

"Son I was never as smart as the others were, I just worked harder that they did."

The words came with such authority and conviction and echoed like a drum in my mind and this one piece of advise that I will greatly treasure from this man, my Late Uncle John.

These words have kept me going and indeed have helped me in my journey through life as I hope they will for you too.

Farewell Uncle John until we meet again.

Awara! Atagetena!

May Your Soul rest in Eternal Peace.