It’s a first in the history of the position of the President of Fiji, as Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda was officially farewelled by Government yesterday.
Both former President, the late Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and the late Tui Nayau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara were not formally farewelled by government, but last night more than 300 civil servants and foreign diplomats gathered at Government House to farewell outgoing President Ratu Iloilo.
Last night in his last official address, an emotional Ratu Iloilo, said, it has been a great priviledge to serve as President, and an even greater honour to be called a citizen of Fiji.
He also urged that the office of the President should be a strong one and should know its constitutional authority.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama also took time to thank Ratu Iloilo.
Commodore Bainimarama said Ratu Iloilo is a man whose shoulders have been burdened with the cries of a young nation seeking to forge a better future for its people, a man who never shirked the challenges that confronted the nation even when these shook the status quo.
He said many would articulate that the most challenging times for Ratu Iloilo's career, began when he was appointed President following the heinous coup in 2000, and it took a leader of great character with an abundance of self sacrifice to fulfill the expectations of the nation during this period of turmoil.
He said Ratu Iloilo never failed to rise to the challenge and his versatile leadership again, endured when he as Commander of the RFMF established an interim government in December 2006.
Bainimarama said despite his advanced age, Ratu Iloilo made a conscious decision to remain as Fiji's head of state, providing the chiefly influence and steady guidance that the government and the people of Fiji needed. The Prime Minister said Ratu Iloilo's firm resolve was evident when he chose the path he took in April.
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