THE FMF Gymnasium in Suva was a sea of colours on Saturday as the people of Kubuna-i-Wai, Nairai, in the province of Lomaiviti celebrated the achievements of one of their sons Attorney-General Siromi Turaga.
The vanua of Kubuna-iWai presented their traditional appreciation or the vakasenuqanuqa ceremony which were followed by traditional dances and hymns.
Mr Turaga expressed his sincere appreciation to the people of Lomaiviti, family and those who made their way from the West and Suva to be part of the celebrations.
“I’m humbled. For the first time for almost 55 years I’ve seen such a gathering of people,” Mr Turaga said.
“To be a minister was an achievement, but I think for the whole of Nairai, the people of Lomaiviti for one of their sons to be elevated to the post of Attorney-General, Minster of Justice – they are just over the moon.”
He said the coalition Government would work together for the good of the people and all would be done “according to law”.
“We’re going to do what the previous government hasn’t done summarily dismissing people from their employment giving them five seconds or five minutes to think about it and that’s it.“That’s why we have issued a statement to Fiji Airways and ATS – you talk. We provide them framework, but it’s between those two.
“Despite what small section of people think, we are the government in power – the coalition Government.
“A mandate has been given to us to rule this nation, we’re going to do it according to law.”
Mr Turaga expressed his sincere gratitude to the Turaga Tui Nairai, Turaga Matapule, Turaga Na Roko Tui Bau, Turaga na Ko Mai Lawaki, Turaga Tui Vutuna and the former chairman of the Lomaiviti Provincial Council who were present on the day.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Fiji Correction Chaplain Reverend Kinijoji Seru, left, and former president of the Methodist Church Dr Tevita Nawadra lay their hands and pray for Siromi Turaga during the vakasenuqanuqa ceremony at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva on Saturday.
Picture: ATU RASEA
LEFT: Women of Lawaki Village perform meke during the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa
ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
RIGHT: AttorneyGeneral Siromi Turaga’s family members present tabua during the vakasenuqanuqa
ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Vutuna villager Maciu Ratumaitavuki presents the yaqona as the traditional sevusevu during the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa
ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga (in garland) with Nairai villagers during the vakasenuqanuqa ceremony at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva on Saturday.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Women of Nairai during the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga and family
members during the vakasenuqanuqa ceremony at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva on
Saturday.
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga during a fakawela at the
vakasenuqanuqa ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Picture: ATU RASEA
Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, middle, with the candidates of the last general election and former president of the Methodist Church Reverend Tevita Nawadra cut the cake
during the tikina Nairai thanks giving ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Fiji Correction Chaplain Reverend Kinijoji Seru presents a tabua (whale’s tooth) during Attorney-General Siromi
Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Women of Tovulailai Village during Attorney-General Siromi Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
Lawaki villagers preparing the yaqona ceremony during Attorney-General Siromi Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa
ceremony.
Picture: ATU RASEA
The Turaga family members during the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga’s vakasenuqanuqa
ceremony.