Growing up in Naqali, Naitasiri, Sikeli Nailauota has lived a life shaped by duty, both to his vanua and to the communities he has served across Fiji.
Mr Nailauota carries the traditional role of matanivanua, the chiefly herald and spokesman, a position passed down by his ancestors in Naqali.
His family returned to the village in 1962 after his father left work at the Vatukoula gold mines, bringing Sikeli back to the place that would ultimately define his path.
He began his schooling in Vatukoula before completing his primary education at the village school in Naqali, later attending Sila Secondary School in Nausori.
In 1998, already in his 30s, he joined the Fiji Police Force, serving for six years before retiring from active duty in 2005.
Upon leaving the force, villagers selected him as their turaga ni koro, a role he accepted with humility.
But after several years, he grew restless.
Endless meetings and administrative duties left him longing for more hands-on work.
“I told myself I was still in my prime,” he recalled.
Determined to keep contributing, he enrolled at the Fiji National University (FNU), studying welding and fabrication.
That decision opened the door to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, where he joined the engineering corps.
It was there, on construction sites across the country, that he discovered his true passion.
Travelling with military teams to various projects, Mr Nailauota picked up practical skills in carpentry, engineering and even architectural drafting.
Though he never gained formal qualifications in building or design, he credits the army with giving him the real-world training he needed.
Today, those skills have taken him far.
He can draw detailed house plans, build from the ground up, and has completed private construction jobs around Suva.
He built his own home in Davuilevu and is now upgrading his parents’ house in Naqali, a personal project he considers a duty of love.
Mr Nailauota encouraged retired professionals to return to their villages and share their expertise, saying their knowledge should not fade after leaving the workforce.
“Every Fijian has a role in the village structure. It must be maintained,” he said.
Eventually, he believes, everyone will find their way home.
He stressed the importance of itavi vakavanua, fulfilling traditional obligations and said elders must set strong examples for young people so the practice of solesolevaki, communal cooperation, continues for generations.
