24/02/2022
This was written for Gaye Kapi Gimana upon request..
EULOGY of the Late Mr. KWAIPO GIMANA 1964-2021
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary or RPNGC operates under the Motto:
“Securing a safer Community”
NO truer words can be said or describe this Great man who lies before us. He lived up to this motto having served not just the RPNGC with distinction for the past 35 years, but also his family, his community and all who he held near and dear...he looked out for us his entire life.
Good Morning Dear Friends, Superiors and Colleagues of the late Inspector Mr. Kwaipo Gimana.
(Repeat greeting/welcome in language for family who are present..go on to state that for the benefit of his colleagues who are present, you will present in English)
I stand here deeply saddened yet so honored and privileged to tell you the life story of my uncle whom I always called Small Daddy or Small Papa!
Kwaipo Gimana was born on the 21st of August 1964 in Kalo Village. He was the youngest of 4 children born to Gimana Kila and Manu Gewa...
The eldest is my Dad Mr. Kapi Gimana followed by Aunty Renagi, then there was Aunty Winnie whom we have lost and the last being my small papa Kwaipo......
Growing up in Kalo in the pre-independence days, Small Papa was no different to his peers of that era. They were ever inquisitive, always asked a heap of questions but as always were grounded by their parents and elders and would often be seen and heard every Sunday at church. Virtues of humility, respect, honesty and orderliness were instilled in that generation and for small papa, they would remain with him for the rest of his days.
In 1973 at 8 and half years of age, he attended Kalo primary school.
He successfully completed standard 6 in 1978 and in the following year 1979, he attended what was known then as Kwikila High School..now Kwikila Secondary.
Small Papa Completed Grade 10 in 1982 obtaining his Year 10 High School Certificate.
Unbeknownst to some, Uncle had all this time maintained a very steady relationship with a young lass in the village whom years later he would so often refer to as his “Village sweetheart”!
The following year 1983, uncle followed his heart and married his sweetheart Aunty Numa Rupu. That union has stood for 38 years!
.After much thought in terms of the welfare of his young family, Small Papa decided to take the plunge and enlist with the RPNGC. As fate would have it, he was accepted and in 1986 he underwent training for a period of 6 months.
Little did he know then that the RPNGC would be part of him for the rest of his life!
.Straight after completing training, he was posted to Goroka. This would be the first time for him away from home and the familiarity of Port Moresby or Kalo. The posting had a positive impact on his life and how he viewed situations or circumstances. He got to learn that friends and strangers alike could become family for life. Incidentally, it was in Goroka where his popular nickname “Gigi”was coined.
I can only guess that it was derived from our proud Gimana name and heritage but I stand to be corrected should anyone wish to share the story that led to his nickname.
......In 2016 he would leave Bomana after 2 and a half decades armed with renewed vigor and a wealth of knowledge in regard to policing and the RPNGC. Added to this was practical knowledge that of course only experience can teach. The Squad inspections before graduations were highlights no doubt as he got to witness the fruits of his handy-work graduate. What some took for granted, he treasured!
Saying goodbye to Bomana would’ve been bittersweet given the period of time small papa had spent there but being the ultimate professional that he was, I guess he also wanted a change of scenery and new set of challenges.
That would present itself in 2016 when he was offered the position of Station Commander at Kwikila. As I mentioned, he took this on with renewed vigor and now in hindsight, I guess it was a homecoming of sorts. Back to his high school days, back to familiar sights, back to lifelong friends who had become family and of course, back to the village which isn’t too far away.
Being the humble man that he was, he had a sense of purpose and that feeling of accomplishment always swept him when another class from yet another year graduated.
Saying goodbye to Bomana would’ve been bittersweet given the period of time small papa had spent there but being the ultimate professional that he was, I guess he also wanted a change of scenery and new set of challenges.
That would present itself in 2016 when he was offered the position of Station Commander at Kwikila.
...Kwaipo Gimana like many a proud Kalo man also had a competitive spirit, a warrior like demeanor when things were not done right or situations were turned on their heads. The ferocity of his actions and words scared the daylights out of many but by his own admission, it was because things were not done by the book.
For him, it was by the book or not at all regardless of whether he was in his uniform or sitting at home
..Uncle is survived by his wife, 4 Children, 3 Daughter in-laws, 1 son in-law and 12 grandchildren.
Inspector, Bubu, Uncle, Dad, Brother....for me, my dear small Papa....
We salute you and love you.. till that golden morning, soar high! You have run your race and run it well.
Emau! Rest in Love
