Chiefs have been admonished to lead by example in how they carry out their duties as traditional leaders.
And newly-sworn in President, His Excellency Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu said in recent times chiefs have not served their people as they should be.
Speaking in iTaukei to the representatives of the Great Council of Chiefs who were part of the traditional ceremony of welcome for His Excellency at the State House yesterday, Ratu Naiqama said the generation of people in Fiji today, particularly of the iTaukei descent, need to see their chiefs leading by example.
“Me lako vata na ka eda dau tukuna kei na kaukauwa ni cakacaka ni ligamu. Na turaga me tea na kena, vaqara nona vurevure ni lavo. Me sa rauta na vararavi vaka tabaki dua vei ira na noda tamata.”
(Let’s be doers of the our words. Whatever you profess make sure you are able to prove it by how hard you work also. Stop burdening the people with your needs. Work hard, plant your food and earn decent money.”)
Ratu Naiqama encouraged the chiefs, officers from the Ministry of Itaukei Affairs and staff of the State House to work together in advancing Fiji forward.
“The GCC is here for the people. A few years ago former Prime Minister Bainimarama had labelled the GCC as a group of elites. And for a while there he was true because we had become so. I am pleading with you all to not lose sight of why the GCC was formed which is to protect our people, preserve our culture and help us move forward.”
Ratu Naiqama will be opening the meeting of the GCC this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
