Prime Minister Honourable Sitiveni Rabuka led a government delegation to present their i-reguregu to the family of the late Ratu Epeli Ganilau this afternoon.
The governement delegation was received by Ratu Epeli’s eldest son, Ratu Penaia Kamisese Tuivanuavou Ganilau at the Government training centre in Suva.
The late iTaukei Vuniduva, who became the fourth local military officer to be appointed RFMF Commander, passed away on 21 March 2023, at the age of 71.
His funeral service will be held tomorrow at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua before the funeral cortege will leave for Taveuni later in the evening.
The late Ratu Epeli’s body will spend the night at his chiefly residence, namely Vuniduva in Somosomo, Taveuni.
He will be laid to eternal rest on Friday.
The late Ratu Epeli was an illustrious Fijian military officer and politician.
He unsuccessfully contested the general elections of 1999 but served briefly as Minister for Home Affairs in Voreqe Bainimarama’s military government in 2006.
He was the Commander of the then -Fiji Military Forces and Chairman of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs).
The late Ratu Epeli was the son of the late Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the first President of Fiji and was married to the late Adi Ateca Mara Ganilau, the eldest daughter of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji’s first Prime Minister.
He is survived by his two sons, two daughters and nine grandchildren.
