Delai Naiqasiqasi will welcome a new occupant today when the Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, assumes office after an inauguration ceremony at State House this morning.
Aside from his political career and stint as Speaker of the House of Representatives, very few know he endured hard times earlier in life.
He came from modest means but as his friends shared, he was determined to take life by the reins and succeed.
For those close to him, his journey from childhood in the surburbs of Suva, and later at Somosomo village, Taveuni, and his foray into politics, came as no surprise, given his ‘stoic’ life story.
Ratu Naiqama was brought up by his mother, Adi Unaisi Lalabalavu, while his father, Ratu Glanville Wellington Lalabalavu, served in the military, where he entered the theatre of war to fight communist guerillas in Malaya.
During this time, he was raised single-handedly by his mother in Raiwaqa, Suva, before housing projects took place in the suburban area.
He attended Suva Methodist Primary School and Dudley Intermediate and Secondary School, before ending his secondary education at Ratu Sukuna Memorial School.
Upon completing school, he moved into a bachelor’s quarters in Draiba, which was reserved for civil service cadets who were recruited by the Gaunavou Rugby Club.
His career began at the then Native Land Trust Board where he went on to have a distinguished career in land and estate management.
Longtime friend and former work colleague Savenaca Kamikamica says friends had always known Ratu Naiqama was destined for greatness.
Academic pursuits took him from the suburbs of Suva to the United States, Israel and even the hallowed halls of Harvard. Ratu Naiqama’s professional accolades include a Masters Degree in International Development from Clark University Massachusetts, Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Rural or Regional Development planning from the Development Study Centre in Israel, and a short stint at Harvard University.
Many would say he was pre-destined to be a leader and his journey from RSMS to becoming President of the Republic of Fiji is a fulfillment of his desire to serve his people.
Mr Kamikamica, who spent many years travelling with the Tui Cakau to most parts of the country during their time at the iTaukei Affairs Ministry, says Ratu Naiqama’s rapport with the people was one of the reasons he would make an ideal President.
“He did not differentiate between the different races,” he said.
“If you went to him and asked him to take on a request from a chiefly household, or right down to a small farmer, he would take them on.
“It is very hard to find leaders like him nowadays.
“He knew where he stood. I’ve served under Ratu (Kamisese) Mara and Ratu Penania (Ganilau), and these were the leaders who Ratu Naiqama also learned from.”
“He was a really good rugby player, so good that he even got chosen to try out for the national team.
“If he kept on with his rugby career, he would have made a name for himself on the rugby field too.”
