As hundreds of people gather at Suva’s Buckhurst Park to celebrate Fiji’s 45 years of Independence, they have been told such celebrations remind a nation its ability to stand on its own feet.
Speaker of Parliament Dr Jiko Luveni opened the morning session of Fiji Day celebrations in-front of students, civil servants and the public this morning.
The celebrations in Suva started with a march from Vatuwaqa Primary School through the Laucala Bay area to Bidesi Park.
Dr Luveni says the celebration creates a unique identity for Fiji as an independent sovereign state.
She reminded those in attendance that every Fijian should be proud of how far Fiji has come.
‘’We may be a tiny spec on the ocean but as history would tell us we have opened our hearts to many races who have made our islands their home; we have made our mark on sporting fields, most recently as we would all proudly acknowledge, with our gallant rugby heroes who delighted the rugby world, by rattling the bigger rugby nations with their well-structured set pieces and general play’’.
Celebrations continue at Buckurst Park this afternoon with a twenty-one gun salute and a parade by the RFMF.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be in attendance.
This will also be the last Fiji Day parade for President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau before his Presidential term comes to an end next month.
