It is time to re-dedicate ourselves to One Nation, One Destiny - NFP

The National Federation Party believes it is time to re-dedicate ourselves to One Nation, One Destiny just as we did 47 years ago.

In its Fiji Day message, the National Federation Party has paid tribute to the founding fathers of Fiji, hailing them as gigantic leaders who put national interest above everything else to negotiate Fiji's Independence 47 years ago.

It says as we celebrate 47 years of the independent history, it must not be forgotten that it was the NFP's founding father and Leader of the Opposition Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel and his successor Siddiq Moidin Koya, together with the first Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who put aside their deep personal and political differences to give Fiji true nationhood and sovereignty.

The party says we should not also forget the 14 years of our Independent history during which there were under military rule due to four military coups since 1987.

It says we should not also forget that the most important symbol of our nation following Fiji being granted its Instruments of Independence, our noble banner blue flag, would have been changed had it not been for the widespread opposition of our citizens.

NFP says unfortunately, consensus, goodwill, dialogue and bipartisanship are missing from our national political landscape.

It says we should remember the giant strides made by the country's founding fathers and to hold true to the spirit of unity and understanding of our Independence because freedom, hope and glory is still ours if we grasp it.

NFP adds that a peaceful transition from 96 years of Colonial rule to Independence and constitutional and parliamentary rule is a monumental achievement.

It says they have always achieved solutions to national problems, which to many people may have seemed insurmountable, through genuine dialogue, goodwill, consensus and bipartisanship.

The NFP also says independence, a thriving sugar industry that was Fiji's economic mainstay for 30 years of independent history and will still remain vitally important to the livelihood of some 200,000 of our people and the 1997 Constitution are a few but perfect examples of what can be achieved by working together.