Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu says Dr Tupeni Baba was a person who stood for freedom and democracy.

“Every now and then an individual rises from within us to become a shining light to society,” said Mr Seruiratu.

“The late Dr Baba was one of those.

“As an academic, he initiated meaningful connections through academia, inspiring many young Fijians to grow and blossom to leave lasting impressions on society. He left much of himself in thosein Fiji and around the Pacific, who learnt under his tutelage and who have grown to assume leadership roles in their various communities.”

He said Mr Baba’s political ideology was one of pluralism and inclusivity.

“This manifested in his political affiliations, being a founding member of the Fiji Labour Party, and serving as a Cabinet minister in the government of Dr Timoci Bavadra, and then as one of the two deputy prime ministers in the government of Mahendra Chaudhry prior to 2000.

“Fiji has lost a son, and a great man, but we take solace in the fact that his good works will never be erased. He was indeed a rare scholar and intellectual, and a political figure, badly needed to continuously hold the feet of polity in Fiji.”