Iambakey Palma Okuk

Iambakey Palma Okuk (5 May 1945 – 14 November 1986) was an independence leader in Papua New Guinea. He was the country's first Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as Minister of Transport, Minister of Primary Industries, and Opposition Leader. Okuk is regarded as the "most colorful and divisive politician" in Papua New Guinea. He originally organized rallies against unfair labor practices, and after winning election, he worked to reserve economic sectors for citizens as a way to give the country's people a more sophisticated economic role. Okuk formed a coalition of opposition political groups in the decade following independence, which successfully compelled a change of government and led to his appointment as deputy prime minister.

He was awarded the privilege to serve as the first Agriculture Minister under the Somare-Guise government from self-governance in 1973 to Independence. He was grudgingly appointed Education Minister following independence, succeeding his fellow countryman Sir Kobale Kale, who was then the Member for Sinesine Yongomugl district, Simbu. On his third try, he was successful, and Sir J went on to become the second Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and the first beneficiary of a fruitful VoNC. He was referred to as the King Maker and the political King of the Highlands. That's all about the fifth most important historical figures in Papua New Guinea we want to mention.