Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has ruled out a State funeral for legendary Fiji-born musician George ‘Fiji’ Veikoso, saying he is not entitled to the honour under current national protocol.
He said this in response to locals on social media who have been calling for a State funeral to honour the life of ‘Fiji’, as he was most commonly known to fans.
“No, he’s not entitled to it,” Mr Rabuka said.
He stated that only the President of Fiji is eligible for a State funeral.
When asked whether Veikoso’s contributions to the country’s national image might warrant such an honour, Mr Rabuka responded in the negative.
Originally from Buretu, Tailevu, Veikoso was born on May 10, 1970, spent all his childhood and teen days in Fiji before moving to Hawaii in 1987 after Fiji’s coups d’état.
His famous songs include Lia, Sweet Darlin’, Warrior, Morning Ride, Stone Cold, Lonely Days, amongst other hits that are not loved amongst Pacific households but also among audiences across the globe.
In 2024, he brought to Fiji his first-ever Homecoming Concert in Nadi, drawing more than 10,000 fans from all over the Pacific.
A second Homecoming event was scheduled for September this year.
