According to The Fiji Times on Tuesday, January 1, 1980, knighthoods were conferred on the former Cabinet Secretary, Robert Sanders, and the Ombudsman, Justice Tikaram.
Sir Robert, a Scott, left Fiji in 1979 after 28 years of service with the Fiji and Tongan governments. Sir Moti Tikaram, 54, became the second Fiji Indian to receive a knighthood and was the eighth living local citizen to hold the distinction.
Other awards on New Year’s Day 1980 included CBE for the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Surendra Singh, and a military OBE for Lieutenant-Colonel Epeli Nailatikau, former commander of the Fiji force in Lebanon.
Other OBEs went to Dr Benijamini Ravulolo Lomaloma, principal medical officer at the Lautoka Hospital, retired civil servant Gyan Singh and the principal of St Joseph’s Secondary School in Suva, Sister Genevieve Loo.
Sir Robert Sanders, 55, joined the Fiji civil service in 1951 as a district officer and later as secretary to the Tongan Government for two years.
He became Secretary to Cabinet when Fiji became independent in 1970 and at various times also held the dual positions of Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Secretary for Home Affairs.
Sir Robert’s citation said he, “served Fiji faithfully and well for 28 years” and laid a firm administrative foundation for the future.
“He was cast in the traditional mould of the civil service in that his job was done quietly and without flourish, but his contribution to the country was widely recognised and appreciated,” the citation said.
Sir Moti, Ombudsman since 1973, was said to have “discharged the duties of his office with distinction and honour and had made an outstanding contribution to public life in Fiji,” his citation said.
After three years of private law practice, he joined the magistracy in 1957.
He was the first local Supreme Court judge and was the first local to act as Chief Justice.
Sir Moti was associated with many voluntary organisations, was chairman of the national International Year of the Child committee and was the chairman of a Royal Commission that reviewed the treatment of prison convicts.
Other 1980 honours:
- MBEs for Labasa businessman Kum Zoing, Alliance MP Ratu Josefa Iloilo, Nausori businessman, Khushalbhai Nathubhai Patel and Suva businessman, Alfred Marlow;
- MBE (military division) went to Warrant Officer Class 1, Apakuki Suluaqalo Najoritani, of the Royal Fiji Military Forces;
- BEM – Public Works Department supervisor, Ratu Manasa Tikoca;
- Imperial Service Medal- ships cook, Aisake Tomasi Yavala; retired PWD chief clerk Shiu Ram Singh; retired civil servant, Dr Kemueli Musunamasi and retired education officer Mr Gopalan; and
- Fiji Police Medal for Meritorious Service – Senior Inspector Suliasi Daunitutu; Superintendent Krishna Swami Gounder; Inspector Rusiate Saukuru and Superintendent George H. Taito.
