BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Solomon Islands National University marked a major milestone yesterday as it celebrated the graduation of 1,005 students under the theme “Shaping the Future: Knowledge, Technology and Nation Building.”

Addressing the ceremony, university Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau said that the theme represents more than a ceremonial slogan, describing it as a call to action for higher education to play a central role in preparing minds, building character, and strengthening communities for national development.

“The graduating class reflects a diverse academic background, with students completing programs across faculties including nursing and health sciences, education and humanities, business and technology, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as technical and vocational education and training.

“The cohort also included 41 international students from Vanuatu, highlighting the university’s growing regional reach,” he said.

He said that of the total graduates, 632 were women, accounting for 63 per cent of the class, while 373 were men, making up 37 percent.

“This strong female representation is an encouraging sign for Solomon Islands and for our region, because when women and men are both allowed to learn, to lead and serve, the whole nation is strengthened,” he said.

He said that the cohort speaks powerfully to widening opportunity and achievement.

VC Aqorau said that the largest group of graduates come from the Faculty of Nursing, Medicine and Health Sciences, with 385 graduates, and the Faculty of Education and Humanities, with 336 graduates, an important reminder of SINU’s contribution to the country’s health, education and public workforce.

“Among today’s graduates, we pay special tribute to our 33 high achievers, students who have graduated at the top of their programs, with a GPA of four and above. Their excellence deserves our admiration, not only because of the results they achieved, but because of what those results represent: discipline, perseverance, consistency and a refusal to settle for less than their best.

“To our high achievers, we congratulate you all. To every graduate here today, we also say this clearly: your journey matters, your achievement matters, and your presence on this stage matters.

“I encourage you to carry with you a strong sense of responsibility. The qualification you receive today is not just something you have earned for yourself. It carries an expectation,” VC Aqorau said.

Photo: John Houanihau

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Atoifi Hospital Primary Health Care (PHC) Team is in North Malaita to embark on providing essential primary health care services to the people of Takwa and Kwailabesi clinic’s catchment communities.

The initiative and community outreach aims to bring health care services to the front door of  rural people of North Malaita, as requested by the North Malaita people. 

In an interview, Harry Samuel with the Atoifi Adventist Hospital and School of Nursing IT, said the initiative was initially planned by the hospital to reach out to the regions of Malaita.

He said the North Malaita tour was made possible through Dr Diudi, who is also from North Malaita. 

“The initiative was planned to reach out to the regions of Malaita, and so, at the moment, our team is in North Malaita,” he said.

He said the team started its program on Monday, April 27, and Tuesday, April 28, at Takwa Clinic, and it has attracted more people from rural communities.

“On the first day, which was Monday, our team provided services to about 200 patients. On the second day, they received around 400 people, and many still want to come.

“On the third day, they moved to Kwailabesi, where the program also attracted more people from the surrounding communities,” he said.

However, the team has faced challenges with a shortage of basic medical treatments for the people at Kwailabesi Clinic and is calling for support from MP Ben Maenuu.

“Yes, before our team moved to Kwailabesi Clinic, they noticed that essential medicines like Panadol, Septrin, Amoxicillin, and Curtem were insufficient.

“So, they sought medical supplies from Malu’u and Kilu’ufi Hospital, but were unsuccessful. They had to return come back to get enough medical treatments,” he said.

The PHC team also thanked Ben Maenu’u for supporting them with 15 gallons of fuel to return and load the medical treatments for the outreach.

“Thank you, Ben Maenu’u, for supporting our frontline health workers and ensuring our people continue to receive care services,” he said.

The outreach program will end today, as the team will return to Takwa clinic to treat the remaining patients they missed on the first and second days before they leave for Atoifi.

Photo credit: Harry Samuel

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Atoifi Adventist Hospital Primary Health Care team has praised the Member of Parliament for Lau Baelelea constituency, Ben Maenuu for his timely support. 

The Atoifi Primary Health Care team was on their outreach programme to Takwa and Kwailabesi clinics when they encountered hardship and called for help from MP Ben Maenuu. 

In an interview with the Atoifi Adventist Hospital IT Officer, he said they were unsuccessful in obtaining medical treatments requested from Malu’u and Kilu’ufi Hospitals due to insufficient supplies. 

He said the only option for them was to return to Atoifi to get the medical treatments. 

“The Atoifi Primary Health Care team was on the outreach program to Takwa and Kwailabesi clinics when they noticed their medical supplies were insufficient to continue.

“So, the only option they had was to get a boat and return to Atoifi to get the drugs,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that when they reached out to a representative of MP Ben Maenuu for help, Maenuu accepted and provided 15 gallons of petrol for them.

“We praise Ben Maenuu for his timely support in this hard time. It is for the good of our people, especially the sick patients and those who really need it.

“He provided 15 gallons of petrol for the boat to come and collect enough medical supplies for our team to proceed with their programme,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The Member of Parliament for North Malaita constituency, Daniel Waneoroa, has provided market opportunities for the Besi Youth Association, which focuses on local taro production. 

The Besi Youth Association is a local organisation that engages and creates opportunities for young people in North Malaita, especially in local taro production. 

According to a statement from the association, Waneoroa supported the association by providing market opportunities, freighting, and transportation. 

It stated that Waneoroa had already planned to support local struggling farmers, groups, and associations, but would only do so once he sees progress made by the farmers, groups, and associations. 

“I was looking for such an initiative where a group or family can take the lead first, but no one did,” he said.

In the meantime, the chairman of the Besi Youth Association, Abel Wanesuia, thanked Waneoroa for his support of their association.

“On behalf of the association, I want to thank the North Malaita constituency office and MP Waneoroa for their support in securing market opportunities for us.

“We have generated around $15,000 in just three weeks,” he said.

Wanesuia encourages other individuals, groups, and associations who also want to venture into business to focus, engage in teamwork, and be patient.

“Every good thing starts with small things. When you are trying to venture into business, focus on one aim and be consistent,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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BY NED GAGAHE

Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), Dr Luke Forau, says the country’s economy showed stronger momentum in 2025, but cautions that growth remains too concentrated in a few key sectors.

Speaking at the launch of 2025 annual report yesterday at Heritage Park Hotel, Forau revealed that the Solomon Islands economy expanded by 3.6 per cent in 2025, an improvement from 3 per cent in 2024.

He said the growth was largely driven by solid performances in mining, construction, agriculture, transport, and wholesale and retail sectors.

“The stronger growth reflects increased activity across key sectors, particularly mining and construction, which also supported demand for goods and transport services,” Forau explained.

However, the CBSI Governor said that the current growth pattern is not broad-based, highlighting a major structural challenge for the economy.

“Our growth is still narrow and heavily dependent on a few sectors, especially mining,” he said.

Forau warned that such dependence makes the economy vulnerable to external shocks, including fluctuations in global commodity prices.

“If we remove mining from the equation, overall growth would be significantly lower. This shows that we must diversify our economy and strengthen other sectors,” he added.

He emphasised the need for policies that promote inclusive and sustainable growth, ensuring that economic benefits are spread across all sectors and communities.

The CBSI Governor said moving forward, the country must focus on expanding agriculture, boosting value-added production, and strengthening emerging industries to reduce reliance on a single growth driver.

“While the economy is growing, it is not growing fast enough or broadly enough to meet our long-term development goals,” Forau stated.

He said that achieving a more resilient and inclusive economy will require coordinated efforts from government, private sector, and development partners.

Photo credit: Ned Gagahe

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