The Attorney-General and Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum was yesterday given a rousing welcome at Muanaicake Village, Vutia, Rewa.

It was his first visit to the district and the first by any A-G, Minister for Economy or acting PM.

He was there as the chief guest at the certificate graduation of more than 500 people, both young and old, from Fiji National University’s Sustainable Livelihood Project in Vutia.

He was accorded a full traditional welcome ceremony.

People jostled and jockeyed to shake his hands and take selfies because that was the first time they had seen him in person. They also danced (taralala) with him as music was played after the graduation to demonstrate their joy and gratitude to him and the Government for bringing the vocational courses to them.

Dr Isimeli Tagicakiverata, the director for TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training) FNU, said in the morning more than 700 graduated in Noco, Rewa. This plus the Vutia graduates had broken the 10,000 mark of the number of students who had graduated from the programme. Dr Isimeli said it provided a pathway for graduates to find employment and further education.

Vutia was a stronghold for SODELPA in the last general election. If yesterday’s events were to go by then we can expect a shift towards FijiFirst in the 2018 general election.

Villager Loata Turagavuli said: “Despite the political differences here in our province, most of the Rewans were doubtful about this Government.

“Through FNU, the Government has come down to us the grassroot level people on education and for people around the country side to be educated.

“This is also an eye opener to Government’s vision which matters to all walks of life and ages from the youngest to the oldest,” she said.

Another villager Merewalesi Sina said: “To me it’s a great honour for him (Mr Sayed-Khaiyum to come. We never dreamt of him coming here. We always see him on TV and newspaper but now we see him face to face.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said he was overwhelmed by the welcome. On the way to the landing to board his boat people who lined the footpath stopped him to thank him and take selfies with him.

Rewa Provincial Council chairman Uraia Waibuta said the training and visit by Mr Sayed-Khaiyum meant a lot for them. Mr Waibuta is also from Vutia and is the deputy Secretary for Agriculture.

He said: “The motto for Rewa is their religious belief (lotu) and education (vuli). Education will always be one of our priorities and definitely we are looking forward to people implementing what they’ve learned and that is the bottom line, people need to put it into action.”

While addressing the graduates,

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated Government’s commitment to taking education to the villages and rural areas free of charge.

He said: “We believe that every Fijian in Fiji must be empowered and must be given the access to have that training and that education so you can do something for yourself.

“Those of you have graduated today who will get your certificate that is something that nobody can ever take away from you. That is yours. It is through your hard work that you got that certificate.

“If you are educated and you are qualified, no one can take it away from you because it’s in your head and in your hands,” he said.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum stressed the need to get many Fijians educated as possible.

He said this was done through Government’s funding in free education and the 13 technical colleges throughout the country.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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