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PM sends condolences on passing of Seeto

July 20, 2019 6:40 am

The Prime Minister and his wife Mary have sent deepest condolences to the Seeto and Chan families on the passing of a true Fijian, Dixon Seeto.

Voreqe Bainimarama says he hopes his wife, Jenny, his sisters, Lorraine, Beverley and Janice, his brothers, Henry and Watson, and his son, Gareth, know they have the love and support of their fellow Fijians during this incredibly difficult time.

Dixon leaves us with cherished memories of his warmth and kindness that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. And he leaves us with a legacy that will forever be etched in Fijian history and an impact that will span generations.

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As a pillar of our tourism sector, his effort and ethic helped transform Fijian tourism into the iconic industry it is today. As a leader in the Fijian-Chinese community, he was a beacon of unity and inclusivity, and his leadership added immensely to the rich cultural fabric of our nation. As the Chairman of the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board, his faith in young people charted the way towards the introduction of the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme, empowering tens of thousands of Fijian students to realize their dreams of higher education. And as a proud son of Fiji, he was involved in all manner of community organisations and businesses. He was a master of making connections and forging partnerships, and he used those talents to maximum effect in bettering his nation.

I knew Dixon as a man with boundless optimism in the greatness of our country. With as much as he achieved throughout his life, it would have been easy for him to retire from the public arena and let Fiji’s destiny forge itself. But Dixon never made that choice. He chose instead to give of his time and his energy to constantly seek new ways to improve life for his fellow Fijians. In doing so, he chose to live out the very best ideals of Fijian patriotism. In honoring his legacy, let us all strive to match his faith and fidelity in Fiji.

I don’t know if I can recall an event of any importance where I couldn’t count on Dixon being there. I look back fondly on those times we shared together and on our many conversations which, predictably, often found their way to tourism. But, for me, Dixon was always more than a partner in progress, he was my friend, and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of a grateful nation, I thank him and his family for his wonderful contribution to Fiji.