President Accorded Traditional Ceremony of Welcome in Naduri for Girmit Commemorations

The President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, received a full traditional welcome in Naduri, Macuata, the traditional seat of Na Turaga Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, the former President.

As part of celebrations to commemorate the 146th Anniversary of the arrival of the Girmitiya in Fiji, President Lalabalavu was accorded full traditional welcome a day before celebrations begin at Subrail Park, Labasa, tomorrow.

The Head of State also took the opportunity to conduct a traditional visit to the chiefly household of Caumatalevu and its people during today's solemn ceremony of welcome.

In accepting the traditional qaloqalovi, President Lalabalavu acknowledged the warm kinship ties and reaffirmed their shared responsibility to maintain and continue to strengthen the relationship.

He commended the people of Macuata for preserving their cultural identity and called on them to remain steadfast in their customs and values.

At the same time, the Head of State emphasized the importance of education in shaping the future of Vanua Levu and the nation, stating that "only through education can we truly achieve progress and development.”

The head of state also paid tribute to the late Turaga Tui Macuata and recalled fondly time spent in Naduri as a young estate officer in the then Native Land Trust Board in Labasa.

He expressed his gratitude to the Na Turaga Tui Macuata for his dedicated service as President which set a strong example of leadership for the people of Vanua Levu.