Ra chief and Assistant Minister for Justice, Ratu Josaia Niudamu urged leaders in the Ra province to “speak directly with one another, but with respect.”
He made the call while opening the Ra Provincial Council meeting in Nanukuloa, Ra yesterday.
“We live communally, by village and by kinship, but perhaps we now see less with open eyes and more through screens,” he said.
“We maybe spending less time seeing and engaging with our children, and more time watching images and distractions on television and phones.”
“We may share less wisdom and guidance with our young people and more hurtful or destructive words across platforms that sit before us.”
Ratu Niudamu added the chiefly province of Ra can be a guiding light for the good things “we want to achieve.”
“We already have successful companies like Fiji Water and Seascape, our marine reserve.”
“But what else can we do like the phoenix, rising anew to be a symbol of a new dawn.”
“I humbly urge you, the leaders among us, that it is time we speak directly with one another, but with respect.”
Ratu Niudamu said the use of drugs and “harmful influences are already surrounding us.”
“The rising number of our sacred population is being impacted with the spread of HIV. What can we do about it?”
“I humbly ask that we stay vigilant — vigilant over the places where our children are, vigilant over the conversations they are having online, watchful of the gatherings they attend.”
“Let us guide them into lives of honest work, of strength, and most importantly, lives grounded in respect and love.”
