Konrote Serves with Distinction, Scores a Number of Firsts as Head of State
Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote will soon vacate State House. And when he does he will have served the high office of President for six years with distinction and honour. The outgoing Head of State has scored a number of firsts for holders of the office.
He will also leave behind a legacy that has lifted the profile of the institution.
Our first non-iTaukei President
Mr Konrote, a Rotuman, is the first non-iTaukei to be President. As a result he bucked the trend of iTaukei chiefs being appointed President. He had to give up his seat in Parliament to accept the new role.
He is the first President to be elected by Parliament under the 2013 Constitution. Previously post holders were nominated by two thirds of Great Council of Chiefs nominees in the Senate in the old bicameral legislature (Senate or Upper House and House of Representatives or Lower House) and endorsed by the Government.
He is completing the second of his two three-year terms mandated by the 2013 Constitution. He replaced Bau Chief Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, now the Speaker of Parliament, in 2015. Other chiefs, their predecessors, were Ratu Josefa Iloilo, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau and Ratu Sir George Cakobau.
Mr Konrote, who turns 71 on December 26, is in impressive physical shape because he has maintained his strict physical exercise regime. His close associates say he puts to shame those much younger than him who have joined him in his regular walks. He is a devout Seventh Day Adventist and keeps a healthy lifestyle.
When it comes down to serious business, his attention to detail is unparalleled, those close to him say. His discipline mastered from decades of experience and service in military and civilian life is reflected in the way he has tried to lift standards to another level.
One prominent example was when he found out about the leaking roof close to the main bedroom. He initiated the process to get it fixed and other parts of this national heritage that needed repair and upgrade to preserve them.
It was not an easy exercise because he had to go through the bureaucractic red tape to get funding and work approved.
He agreed to be relocated to Boron House near Waimanu Rd in Suva while work was undertaken.
Mr Konrote can now leave with that piece of mind knowing that whoever moves into the State House to replace him after October 22, will occupy a building fit for a President.
An ideal template for his successor
In many respects, Mr Konrote’s credentials provide an ideal template for Parliament to choose his successor. The military experience, while not a constitutional requirement, is important for the role of Commander in Chief of the Defence or National Security Forces.
Based on this the former Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto is one of the two front runners to replace Mr Konrote.
The other candidate is Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Whoever comes in has big shoes to fill given Mr Konrote’s illustrious career in the military, civil service, as a Government minister and diplomat
Here’s is his official biography: Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konusi Konrote, is a former Soldier, Civil Servant, Diplomat, Government Minister and Community Worker.
As a soldier , he rose through the ranks from a Private to become a Major-General and the first Fijian to hold the position of a United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and concurrent Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL 19971999).
Prior to this, he held the appointment of UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander (1990-1991) and Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (1991-1997).
He also served with the New Zealand Army’s 1Ranger Squadron, Special Air Service (SAS) and The Royal Hampshire Regiment, Headquarters 51 Infantry Brigade, British Far East Land Forces, Hong Kong.
As a Civil Servant, he was appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration (2000-2002).
His Excellency was appointed Fiji’s High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador Plenipotentiary to Singapore, based in Canberra (2002-2006).
He contested the 2006 General Elections after which, he was elected as an Independent Member of Parliament for Rotuma and was appointed as Minister of State for Immigration and Ex-Servicemen. Following the transition of Government in December 2006, he became a Community Worker where he was appointed by Government as the Advisor to the Council of Rotuma. In 2014, he again contested the General Elections where he won a seat and was subsequently appointed as the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, a position he held until October 2015.
He was elected President on 12 October 2015 when Parliament, for the first time under Fiji’s Constitution, voted for the Head of State.
He was re-appointed by Parliament for a second three-year term on August 31, 2018.
He was the Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific where he officiated at the University’s graduation ceremonies from July 2017 to June 2018.
He is also Fiji’s Lead Advocate and Champion in the National Campaign to promote Health and Wellness and to reduce Non-Communicable Diseases.
He is also Patron of numerous organisations in the Sports and Social Services sectors.
On Monday, August 17, 2020 he was inaugurated as The Honourary Colonel of the 1st Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment.
He is a graduate of Natabua High School, the New Zealand Army Administration and Tactical Schools in Waiouru, The Australian Army Officer Cadet School in Portsea, The Australian Army Command and Staff College in Queenscliff, The Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra (Fellow) and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States of America.
He is married to Madam Sarote Konrote and they have two sons and six grandchildren.