Epeli Nailatikau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Epeli Nailatikau
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| 2nd Speaker of the Parliament | |
| In office 11 February 2019 – 24 December 2022 |
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| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Jiko Luveni |
| Succeeded by | Naiqama Lalabalavu |
| President of Fiji | |
| In office 30 July 2009 – 12 November 2015 Acting: 30 July 2009 – 5 November 2009 |
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| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Josefa Iloilo |
| Succeeded by | George Konrote |
| Speaker of the House of Representatives of Fiji | |
| In office 2001–2006 |
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| Preceded by | Apenisa Kurisaqila |
| Succeeded by | Pita Nacuva |
| Vice-President of Fiji | |
| In office 17 April 2009 – 30 July 2009 |
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| President | Josefa Iloilo |
| Preceded by | Joni Madraiwiwi (2006) |
| Succeeded by | Office Abolished |
| Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji | |
| In office August 2000 – 2001 |
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| Prime Minister | Laisenia Qarase |
| Succeeded by | Tupeni Baba |
| In office 2001 – September 2001 |
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| Prime Minister | Laisenia Qarase |
| Preceded by | Tupeni Baba |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 July 1941 Suva, Colony of Fiji |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse |
Adi Koila Mara
(m. 1981) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent |
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Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (born 5 July 1941) is a respected Fijian chief and leader. He served as the President of Fiji from 2009 to 2015. He has had a long and important career in the military, as a diplomat, and in government.
From 2001 to 2006, he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This was the main part of the Fijian Parliament. Later, in 2007, he became the temporary Minister for Foreign Affairs. In 2009, he was appointed Vice-President.
On 30 July 2009, he became the acting president after President Josefa Iloilo retired. He was officially sworn in as President of Fiji on 5 November 2009. In 2015, George Konrote took over as president. More recently, on 11 February 2019, Epeli Nailatikau became the Speaker of the Fijian Parliament.
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Early Life and Military Service
Epeli Nailatikau was born into a powerful family of chiefs. He spent 20 years serving in the military. He also spent 17 years working in diplomacy.
He went to school at Bau District School, Draiba Fijian School, Levuka Public School, and Queen Victoria School. After his schooling, he trained to be a soldier in New Zealand. In 1966, he served with the New Zealand Army in Sarawak, Malaysia. This was during a conflict known as "Konfrontasi" with Indonesia.
He was a well-liked and respected officer. When he returned to the Fiji Infantry Regiment, he moved up in rank steadily. By 1987, he was a Brigadier-General and the Commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces. While he was visiting Australia, another officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, took control of the government in a coup. This meant Epeli Nailatikau lost his position as Commander.
Diplomatic Work
After leaving the military, Epeli Nailatikau started a new career in diplomacy. He studied at Oxford University in the United Kingdom to prepare for this.
He was then appointed as the High Commissioner for Fiji to the United Kingdom. This also meant he was Fiji's ambassador to several other countries. These included Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Israel, and the Holy See. Later, he became Fiji's traveling ambassador to countries in the South Pacific Forum. In 1999, he became the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Political Roles
After the Fiji coup of 2000, which Epeli Nailatikau strongly disagreed with, he was considered for the role of Prime Minister. He decided not to take the role, and Laisenia Qarase became Prime Minister instead. However, Epeli Nailatikau became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs in the temporary government.
He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in August 2000. He served as Deputy Prime Minister again under Laisenia Qarase from 2001 until September 2001. After that, he was elected as the Speaker. In 2001, after democracy was brought back, he won the vote to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. He held this position until after the 2006 elections.
Following the coup d'état on 5 December 2006, he became the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade. This was in the new temporary government led by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
On 10 April 2007, President Josefa Iloilo suggested him as the new vice-president. However, the Great Council of Chiefs did not agree. Later, on 17 April 2009, after a constitutional crisis in Fiji, Ratu Epeli was appointed vice president.
He also served as the temporary Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation, and Civil Aviation from January 2007. In September 2008, he was moved to the role of Minister for Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs.
Serving as Acting Prime Minister
On 25 September 2007, Epeli Nailatikau was appointed as the acting prime minister. This happened while the temporary Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, was away in New York.
Serving as Acting President
On 30 July 2009, he became the acting president of Fiji. This was after the 88-year-old President Iloilo retired. The President was usually chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs. However, this group was no longer in power. So, the government announced that a new president would be chosen by the cabinet. Epeli Nailatikau was officially appointed to the office on 5 November 2009.
Working Against AIDS
On 14 June 2005, Epeli Nailatikau was chosen as the UNAIDS special representative for the Pacific region. UNAIDS is a program by the United Nations that works to fight AIDS. He was chosen because of his political position and the respect he had across the Pacific. He was also very open about issues related to AIDS.
He had previously been a UNAIDS spokesman for the Pacific. In October 2004, he led the first meeting of Pacific Parliamentarians. This meeting was about how lawmakers in the Pacific could help fight HIV/AIDS.
Personal Life
Epeli Nailatikau holds the title of Ratu. This is a traditional Fijian chief title he inherited from his family. He is the second son of Ratu Edward Cakobau. His father led the Fijian Battalion during World War II.
Epeli Nailatikau is also a great-great-grandson of Seru Epenisa Cakobau. Seru Cakobau was the first monarch to rule over a united Fijian kingdom. He brought all the tribes of Fiji together. In 1874, he gave the Fiji Islands to the United Kingdom. Epeli Nailatikau is also a grandson of King George Tupou II of Tonga.
In 1981, he married Adi Koila Mara. She is the second daughter of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Her father was a former prime minister and president of modern Fiji. Adi Koila Mara has also been a politician. Like her husband, she was a Member of Parliament, a Cabinet minister, and a Senator. They have two children: a son named Kamisese Vuna and a daughter named Litia Cakobau.
Honours and Awards
Epeli Nailatikau has received several important honours for his service.
From Fiji
- Companions of the Order of Fiji (CF)
- Meritorious Service Decoration (MSD)
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From Other Countries
Tonga:
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Tonga (awarded 31 July 2008).
United Kingdom:
- Honorary Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)
- Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Knight of the Most Venerable Order of Saint John (KStJ)
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Images for kids
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Epeli Nailatikau in 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Epeli Nailatikau para niños
