The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, said no one was a visitor on Fiji Day or any other day.

This was her message to hundreds who gathered at Subrail Park in Labasa yesterday, proudly waving their Fijian flags and wearing their blue attire to mark the day.

Ms Vuniwaqa said it was about that powerful and unbreakable bond of national identity, and celebrating what we have in common, and what we all share.

“We must continue to remove the divides created and perpetuated by some based along the lines of ethnicity, religion, and province. United by patriotism, we all fly the same flag, and sing the same anthem, on Fiji Day and that is the spirit of togetherness that should be carried within us not just today, but through every day of the year.”

She added that the sense of pride every Fijian felt on Fiji Day was something incredibly special.

“Building a great nation takes a lot of sacrifices and tremendous efforts from individuals, communities, leaders and the nation as a whole.

“We cannot go without remembering today the great leaders at various levels, our elders who toiled in various sectors, the countless advocates of social issues and human rights, the professionals, the carers and each and every Fijian who made heroic sacrifices for fellow Fijians, especially during disasters and unrest of any form.

“Today, let’s say thank you to all of them.”

The event was filled with entertainments, dances and educational programmes.

Ms Vuniwaqa also visited the Golden Age Home in Labasa to celebrate the day with the residents.

Bethel Primary School in Labasa during the Fiji Day celebration at Subrail Park on October 10, 2019. Photo: Selita Bolanavanua

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