Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama received an early morning surprise by the RFMF to the sound of birthday tunes this morning.

Celebrating his 61st birthday today, the Prime Minister thanked the RFMF for the surprise.

Led by RFMF Chief of Staff, Captain Viliame Naupoto and Land force Commander Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho, the Military band marched and sang birthday songs at the Prime Minister’s residence around 5am today.

Speaking to FBC News Colonel Qiliho said this is part of the military tradition to surprise retired and former Commanders on their birthdays.

“The Prime Minister had been the longest serving RFMF Commander and coming to wish him Happy Birthday this morning has always happened during his term as Commander and after 2006 and we do that for our former Commanders,. We do that for Colonel Paul Manueli, Ratu Epeli Ganilau and we are also doing it for the Prime Minister. And we’re here to wish him Happy Birthday as a former Commander and a retired General for the RFMF and we do it to our Retired Generals who served as commanders of the RFMF.”

The Prime Minister will be spending his special day with his family and loved ones.