At the end of the day it’s not about money, knowledge or the wealth you have, it’s all about preparing oneself for life after death.

These were the sentiments shared by widow Silipa Kubuabola after the funeral of her husband, the late Ratu Mikaele Dreu Kubuabola, in Suva, yesterday.

Ratu Mikaele left his family in Dubai on December 6 last year – six days after their wedding anniversary – on a work trip in Africa where he was shot.

It is believed Ratu Mikaele was hit by a stray bullet in Mali, an African country which is noted for volatility among warring political factions.

He was originally from Somosomo, Taveuni, and was born on July 1, 1972. He hailed from a chiefly family in Taveuni, the Naqaranivalu clan, which holds a special place in the affairs of the Tui Cakau, the paramount chief of Cakaudrove and the Tovata Confederacy.

“My children and I were shocked when we received the sad news of his death,” Mrs Kubuabola said. They have two children, the older son Ratu Manasa is 16, and the younger one a daughter, Adi Ela aged 14.

“It’s after a month we spent waiting for his body to arrive. There were delays, and this delay has been a blessing for me and my children. It has helped us heal and understand God’s purpose and helped us prepare well for his (farewell) service.”

“For Mika family is a priority and other things come next. My husband is a family man, and we are his motivation in his work and in everything else he does,” Mrs Kubuabola  said.

“He is a man full of humour and has a big heart. And he loves helping people who are in need.

“He would do anything for anyone, and I will have to slow him down. Because many times I see he is so exhausted and tired from attending to others and he fails to give time to himself.

“I love him more because he was a strong believer in the Holy Spirit and  Almighty.  That was always his hope and comfort in all the high-risk places he worked in.”

Mrs Kubuabola said:  “Many of his work (assignments) was overseas. We will always have our family devotion on skype when he is away.”

“As a couple, geographical location was not an issue. Apart from the technology that has existed we had a trust. We trust each other. For me personally as a wife and a mother is to look after him and trusting my God wherever he was and, our children.”

“Mika is always happy.”

He believed nothing was impossible.

“He has a solution to everything,” Mrs Kubuabola said.

They were running their own business in Dubai.

The order of service at a memorial yesterday in Suva’s Centenary Church, quoted two friends close to the late Mr Kubuabola:

Tim Collins, a business partner in the United Kingdom, said “Mika was loved and respected by everyone he worked with. A simple man who opens up to people with a smile. I was proud to call him my friend and his passing has left a huge hole in my life.”

Joseph Mow, a Fijian friend in Dubai said: “Mika was a visionary and had great plans for business. We often reflected on how we could contribute and give back to Fiji. We talked about rugby and talked about how the kids were doing. We shared stories of our travels and tried to inspire each other to do better. He was an example to all of us fathers.”

The Fijian pilots based in Dubai also sent their condolences as the late Mr Kubuabola was regarded by them as a businessman who provided inspiration.

He was buried at Suva Cemetery, Lovonilase, yesterday.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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