Of the many messages of condolence received, I have selected a few extracts to show something of the qualities of the man whom Government opponents claimed was feeble, ailing and rubber stamping Government actions.
TONGA
“Ratu Josefa will always be renowned and remembered with great respect in our region’s history for the many accomplishments he achieved in his country and for the Pacific. He was one of the great statesmen of Fiji.
“In all his endeavours, whether as Head of State, as a politician, or as a paramount traditional chief and leader of Vuda, he was characterised by the traits of his loyal, firm, polite and humble demeanour – a true gentlemen of the Pacific.
“May God Bless Ratu Josefa’s family, the Government and people of Fiji during this difficult and trying time.” – Lord Tu’ivakano, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga.
UNITED NATIONS
“Fiji, and indeed, the world, has lost an extraordinary leader whose commitment to the progress of his country and the betterment of all its citizens was total. We will miss Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda’s diplomatic skills, vision and his humanity. May his soul rest in peace.” – United Nations Resident Coordinator Knut Ostby.
ASIA DEVELOPMENT BANK
“The ADB joins the international community in grieving the loss of a man who has been the voice of reconciliation and an advocate for a harmonious society in Fiji during difficult times. He stood for stability and traditional values while championing the cause for development for all Fijians.”
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
“In his message, President Hu calls Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda a senior statesman of Fiji and an old friend of the Chinese people, who made significant contributions to the development of China-Fiji relations by promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation in all fields between the two countries.
Ratu Iloilo's first career was as a teacher. Here is what two eduationalists who knew him well had to say:
"As we mourn the passing away of a great man, we remember him as a great and progressive leader of very wide experience, a school teacher, a Roko Tui of a number of provinces, a parliamentarian, president of the Senate and the president of the country. His primary preoccupation was to encourage and bring peace and harmony among the different communities and groups in Fiji. Thus, one of his first actions when he became the president of the country was to proclaim the adoption of the Peoples Charter." – Filipe Bole, Minister of Education.
The former president was a "man endowed with great wisdom and leadership attributes. He was a humble and approachable leader who was looked upon by people of all ethnicities and backgrounds ... he had a great healing touch for the people. I had the privilege of sharing many conversations with the former president in which he shared a deep commitment to the education of his vanua, and for all the people of Fiji." – Prof Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chancellor, University of the South Pacific, and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Fiji.
5 comments:
Finally, Croz, the truth about this very impressive man. Never mind the tributes from foreign governments and institutions. That praise is to be expected under the circumstances. It's what we're hearing here from the education minister and the USP Vice Chancellor that really captures the essence of Ratu Iloilo. The fact is that for all his chiefly status, he was humble and approachable, worked to heal divisions, not accentuate them and laboured tirelessly behind the scenes to promote racial tolerance and national unity. I was so upset last week that Ratu Iloilo's many strengths were not only being ignored but that he was being portrayed as weak and a stooge by people who didn't know him. Nothing could be further from the truth and I deeply appreciate you honouring his memory in the way you have today. The Tui Vuda was a great leader because he led by example in his irreproachable public and private lives. His weakness, if you can call it that, was to have no concern whatsoever for his image or his ego. That accounts for the almost universal lack of appreciation for his qualities except from people he'd come into contact with over the years. To them, he was kind, wise and a pillar of integrity and wisdom. The outpouring of tributes from all races is testament to the impact he had on everyone he met. Honestly, how many other Fijian chiefs nowadays would truly warrant the same glowing praise? Fiji deserves to know a lot more about this wonderful person who deserves every bit of the acclamation he'll receive this week for a life well lived in the service of others.
@ Further to ' recognition at last.....
What you say is very true and lasting. The Tui Vuda, late President of Fiji, Ratu Josefa Iloilo Uluivuda, in addition had a sound sense of humour: in more than one language. Now that is most important in one's dealings with others. It sets them at ease and it is a test of character and deep understanding. We should now ask ourselves, many of us, why it was necessary to be so insulting, so carping, so "Off the Point". Time for deep inner reflection with regard to what is most important and enduring.
Croz, it's interesting to see the outpouring of genuine sadness and fulsome tributes from the Indo-Fijian community at the death of the Tui Vuda. I don't think anyone realised the extent to which Ratu Iloilo not only engaged that community but stood alongside it. I was struck by the tribute made by the Rev William Lucas, the head of the Indian division of the Methodist Church. He disclosed that when Ratu Iloilo was a teacher in Labasa, he chose to worship at the local Indo-Fijian church and was a lay preacher there. This is almost unheard of in the local context and speaks volumes for Ratu Iloilo's belief in a multiracial Fiji. I agree with "What Matters Most?" that the Tui Vuda's more vocal critics need to have a good look at themselves. At the very least, anyone who practices what they preach when it comes to racial tolerance in Fiji is worthy of our collective respect. God knows there are precious few of them and until that changes, nothing else will.
In the old days of the Soviet Union, western observers monitoring the power plays in the Kremlin kept a close eye on which leaders turned up for the annual May Day parade. So without wanting to detract from the solemness of Ratu Iloilo's passing, it was interesting to note who's in or out of favour among Fiji's military top brass following the gun carriage to Government House yesterday. Definitely IN is Colonel Mohammed Aziz, despite repeated claims by the likes of Coup 4.5 that he has fallen out with the PM. We now know that this is evidently just another of the many canards these blog sites float, thinking they can destabilise the regime. But definitely OUT - it seems - is Colonel Tevita Mara, who wasn't among the faces in the crowd nor the list of officers in the line-up reported in today's papers. Does anybody know what really happened to produce the breach between Mara and Frank? Everyone seems to be aware of an apparent falling out between the PM and members of the Mara/Ganilau family. But then you see the former defence minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, presiding at a function in Labasa to mark the prophet Mohammed's birthday and pledging the government's continued support for the Muslim community. Was he Frank's official representative at that function? Because if that's the case, maybe the chill between the two is thawing. Interesting. But about as easy to read as any power play in the Kremlin. Isa.
Coup 4.5 is a total joke. A couple of days ago, they were reporting that Colonel Mohammed Aziz was among a number of people rounded up by the military as "dissenters". Yet there he was yesterday marching right next to Frank Bainimarama behind the cortege bearing the body of former president Josefa Iloilo. Some dissenter! Why don't these guys just roll over and die of shame.
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