Commanders’ Post

Amenatave Yaconisau

Delainavesi

I thank this newspaper for advertising the positions of Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force and Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (FS 19 /12/15).

The cut-off date for consideration of applications (31st December 2015) reflects the urgency of these appointments.

Both positions have potential applicants in the country who have extensive and relevant work experience in the discipline.

In the Fiji Police Force we have certain policemen who have formal qualifications  and have come up the career path. They will also be contenders.

I don’t take anything away from the acting Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, who I assume will be considered for both positions.

He appears to me, to be the person who will address the issue of pay and work conditions in the disciplinary forces.

The current acting RFMF (acting Military Commander) also poses a huge job for the the Constitutional Offices Commission and that he is the best person for the job.

He has to compete with other senior military officers who also have relevant work experience have been well trained.

People like Colonel Ratu Jone Kalouniwai, Ioane Naivalurua, Esala Teleni and a handful of others are in contention and will have a claim on the post.

But Commodore Naupoto is a trustworthy and reliable leader who relates well with Minister of Defence ( Timoci Natuva) and certainly will not lead a military challenge against an elected civilian leadership.

It would be crucial that these two post are filled as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas

Wise Muavono

Lautoka

Things and time continues to rapidly change. Products and services are getting increasingly costly.

Yet, one thing remains constant; you will never have to pay for salvation. How can you be unappreciative this Christmas knowing Christ made it possible for you to have eternal life ?

It’s the “bestest” season because of Christ’s manger birth.

His birth ultimately secured our deliverance from sin.

With this hope, it’ll be almost inhumane not to be thankful this Christmas. Merry Christmas Fiji.

Christmas lesson

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa

Delta, BC, Canada

Lest we forget, the Star of Christmas is Jesus Christ, the Word of God who spoke the world into existence, who became flesh to redeem humanity from the curse of sin, which is eternal death or hell.

The account in Matthew 2: 1-12 should teach us important lessons in the context of the end of the world and Christ’s second coming.

 Gentile astrologers from the East followed a star which led them to the new-born Messiah. Jesus is the bright and morning star that we should intimately follow to be ready when He comes.

 The star disappeared when the magi thought it wise to consult with King Herod, a move that resulted in the deaths of Jewish male children under the age of two.  Keep focused on Jesus and do not deviate from doing God’s will.

 God’s chosen people who knew everything about the coming of the Messiah, were not ready when He appeared. Likewise today, by mid-November, the world and Christians look forward to Christmas, but how many will be ready to meet Him when He comes in the clouds of heaven?

 The magi found the star again after leaving King Herod’s palace which led them to where Jesus was born. If we know about Jesus but do not have an intimate relationship with Him as our Lord and Saviour, He will come into our lives if we accept Him by faith and be ready to see Him.

 Lastly the men gave gifts to the baby Jesus as they worshipped Him. This Christmas we will give gifts to our loved ones and enjoy a feast, but what gift does the Star of Christmas expect of us?

The words of a gospel song sung by the Kings Heralds comes to mind: “Lord I have no wealth to give, riches have I none, but to You my heart I bring, Lord I give you me.”

Happy Christmas Fiji and may God richly bless our beloved nation in 2016.