Nailatikau sworn in as Fiji President

November 05, 2009 10:30:50 AM

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Former military commander Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was today sworn in as Fiji’s fourth President in a ceremony at Government House.

The event was attended by senior members of the Fiji military, senior government officials and some members of the diplomatic corp - minus representatives of Australia and New Zealand.

Also in attendance were Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama and his wife Mary.

Ratu Epeli was accompanied by his wife Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau at the swearing in ceremony.

The ceremony began with the military band playing the national anthem followed by a thanksgiving prayer by Methodist Church general secretary, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu.

Chief Justice Anthony Gates administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath for the Due Execution of the Office of the President.

Ratu Epeli was appointed Vice-President following the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution in April and was later appointed in an acting capacity following the retirement of his predecessor Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

Nailatikau also served as Speaker of the House of Representatives and held a number of portfolios in various governments.

Ratu Epeli is a great-great-grandson of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the first monarch to rule over a unified Fijian kingdom, and who ceded the Fiji Islands to the United Kingdom in 1874.

He is also a grandson of King George Tupou II of Tonga. Ratu Epeli’s father, Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau, is the product of King Tupou and Adi Litia Cakobau.

Ratu Edward commanded the Fijian Battalion in World War II.

In 1981, Ratu Epeli married Adi Koila Mara, the second daughter of modern Fiji's former Prime Minister and President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

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