Jona Senilagakali facts for kids

Jona Baravilala Senilagakali (born November 8, 1929 – died October 26, 2011) was a doctor and diplomat from Fiji. He briefly served as the Prime Minister of Fiji after a big change in government in 2006. Later, he was the Minister for Health from 2007 to 2008.

Education and Medical Career

Jona Senilagakali went to school at Lau Provincial School. He then studied at Queen Victoria School on the island of Viti Levu from 1945 to 1950. After that, he joined the Fiji School of Medicine in 1950.

He graduated in 1954 and worked in health services until 1963. He worked in different places like Lautoka and Levuka. In 1964, he went to study orthopedic surgery. This is a special type of surgery for bones and joints. He studied in Melbourne, Australia, and in India.

When he returned to Fiji in 1968, he worked as a surgeon at Labasa hospital. In 1970, he became a teacher at the Fiji School of Medicine for three years. From 1974 to 1978, he was the Director of Medical Services. Then, from 1978 to 1981, he was the Permanent Secretary for Health. He was also the president of the Fiji Medical Association twice.

Diplomatic and Public Service Roles

From 1981 to 1983, Senilagakali worked as a counsellor for the Fijian Embassy in Tokyo. After that, he became the Consul General in Los Angeles until 1985. He also worked as an ambassador for a short time, visiting different Pacific Islands Forum countries.

In 1986, he became the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office. His last job in public service was as the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, starting in 1987.

Role in the 2006 Government Change

Jona Senilagakali was named Prime Minister by Frank Bainimarama after a change in government in 2006. Senilagakali knew that this change was not fully legal. However, he said it was needed because the previous government, led by Laisenia Qarase, was doing things he believed were wrong.

He mentioned that Bainimarama had asked him to take the job, and he was surprised by the offer. He also said that new elections might not happen for up to two years. The Great Council of Chiefs, a group of important leaders, did not agree with his appointment. They continued to support Laisenia Qarase.

On his first day as Prime Minister, he went to a graduation ceremony. Some people at the Fiji School of Medicine were not happy to see him. A faculty member reportedly told him that his decision to lead the government was not good for the school. He left the ceremony before it started.

Bainimarama announced that Senilagakali had resigned on January 4, 2007. The next day, Bainimarama himself became the Prime Minister. Senilagakali then became the Minister of Health on January 8. He stayed in that role for about a year, leaving in January 2008.

Religious Life

Jona Senilagakali was a lay preacher in the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma. This is the largest Christian church in Fiji. He said that he was very active in the church. He worked as a lay-preacher and helped translate the church's constitution.

He translated the church constitution from English to Fijian by himself between 1987 and 1989. He was also a leader at the Yarawa Methodist Church. He served on a special committee for the Methodist conference from 1989 to 2002.

Personal Life

Jona Senilagakali passed away on October 26, 2011. He was 81 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Jona Senilagakali para niños