ADI Litia Nailatikau, daughter of the late former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, shared her final memory of her father from the day before his passing.
Speaking at his funeral service, Adi Litia recounted the events of Wednesday, March 25, describing a full day her father spent reconnecting with friends and former colleagues.
She said he had left home early that morning to attend the funeral of the late Colonel Netani Rika, later joining fellow ex-servicemen in Davuilevu before continuing on to other social gatherings throughout the day.
“He left home at 8.45am for the funeral, stood at his burial in Davuilevu at 11am, shared grog with his fellow ex-servicemen at Studio 6 at 1.30pm, and later made his way to the Defence Club at 5.30pm,” she said.
Adi Litia recalled picking him up later that evening.
“When I picked him up at 9pm, his face was ‘shining’ as he got into the car. He said: ‘Oh Litia, I had a great day, I saw all the ex-service guys, and we reminisced on so many stories, and how many of us are left’.”
She described her father’s wide circle of friends, often referred to as “the boys”, and his tendency to turn everyday interactions into moments of connection.
“Mind you, these boys are all 70-plus, meeting nearly every night of the week, then go again on the weekends.”
According to Adi Litia, whether at the Fiji Club or during his daily routines, he remained constantly engaged with people.
“He was people-centred in how he lived his life.”
She added that by midday, she would often receive multiple updates tracing his movements, from morning walks to visits at hospitals and stops at familiar places around Suva.
“It was this instinct that defined not only his personal life but also his public service.”
The late Ratu Epeli was married to Adi Koila Mara, daughter of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
They are survived by their two children, Ratu Kamisese Vuna Nailatikau and Adi Litia Cakobau.
