PNG's Governor General Sir Michael Ogio dies

Papua New Guinea's  9th Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio has died. The Office of the Governor General released a statement confirming his death.

"It is with great sadness that the Office of the Governor General informs the people of Papua New Guinea that Governor General Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio, GCL, GCMG, KStJ, passed away this afternoon.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio, the 9th Governor General of Papua New Guinea, was ill for sometime and died at the State residence at Government House at 3:50pm today.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio was 75 years old.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio was elected 9th Governor General of Papua New Guinea in January 2011.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio is survived by his wife Lady Esmie Ogio, five children and 8 grandchildren.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio hailed from Tinputz, North Bougainville in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
“It is with great sadness that we convey to the people of Papua New Guinea the untimely passing of our beloved Governor General. We ask that our people of Papua New Guinea pray for peace and comfort for the family of the Governor General at this time of grief and sorrow.

We also ask that the public respect the privacy of the family of our Governor General and the Office of the Governor General during this difficult time,” said acting Official Secretary Mr. Ezekiel Vene.