Honesty and integrity are things one cannot compromise and alter, says army commander Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Ganilau.
And if one does, he said, one will lose confidence.
Ratu Epeli made the comment after reviewing the Queen Victoria School cadets parade at Albert Park, Suva on July 10, 1992.
The parade, the end result of hard work over many weeks and sleepless nights, was mounted by the 377 cadets from the nine platoons of three companies.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on July 11,1992 the event was witnessed by more than 1500 proud parents, teachers, and relatives.
Even the lunch-hour crowd at Government Buildings got their dessert free of charge from a show well prepared and presented.
“I would say that you have got to have complete integrity,” the commander said.
“You have got to be honest, not only with yourselves, but with men you lead and the people with whom you work. ”
Then you must have initiative.
Initiative, said the commander, who took over from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka last year, meant doing something that needed to be done right away and not leave it a minute longer.
“If you want things to happen to you, they will happen all right. But they won’t be what you like, and they certainly won’t bring you success,” he said.
“Initiative means seeing at once and very quickly doing what needs to be done, making your mind to do it, and then seeing it through right to the end. ”
Then you must have willpower.
The willpower is the motive power.
“It is what enables you to make yourself fit in mind and body to produce in you the courage to do your duty and to make the sacrifice that may be demanded from you. ”
Finally, you must have knowledge.
“If you are to have the courage to take the initiative, to produce the willpower that is needed, you must have knowledge. ”
You must know more than those under you.
“Having said all that I am certain that you are learning about many things other than the ones I have spoken of, and they all have an important bearing on your future career as leaders of tomorrow.
“The ultimate success of all your training and making will be tested when you take up your place as a Fijian member of our plural society and you are not found to be wanting.”
