Jone Maritino Nemani has cleared speculations about joining the University of the South Pacific, labelling social media comments as ‘irrelevant’.

In an interview yesterday, outgoing Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports Nemani said he was leaving Government in ‘good faith’ for a ‘challenging job which is in the core areas of what I love doing in the 36 years of my career’.

Mr Nemani will head the university’s Human Resource Department as Executive Director for People and Workforce Strategy.

He replaces Hilary Faulds, who abruptly left in June after a short stint since joining the university in December, 2019. Her resignation followed controversial allegations that her position was for a masters degree merit, however she had only enrolled into the post-graduate programme.

Mr Nemani said: “It would be amiss of me if I do not acknowledge the Honourable Prime Minister and the Minister for Civil Service for accepting me and for giving me the opportunity and confidence to come back to the country and to serve the Government and the people of Fiji.

“I enjoyed the 18 months. The new path that the ministry is now taking with the new redesigned programme that the ministry is taking could not have come at a better time.”

Social media speculations

He said social media speculations in being able to secure the university top job because of his previous employment with the Nauru Government, were ‘irrelevant and uncalled for’.

“First of all, let me state that my moving across is purely based on merit,” Mr Nemani said.

“When you have contributed around the region and leave an impact, people talk about it. It is only fair that you know I am walking in there without any ill-conceived ideas.

“I do not know anybody and never worked for the university.

“I was approached and while I was hesitant initially, I gave it a lot of thought and said that this is the best way I could contribute to the region, which was my reasoning.

“The perception people may think that I left the Government for some other reasons. No! And let me state that for the record.”

Mr Nemani will be looking after Human Resources capacity for 14 campuses in 12 countries in the region.

“It is going to be challenging and I love a good challenge. That I cannot wait to get into,” he said.

Merit and experience

Mr Nemani’s career spans 36 years, having held senior management roles in Fiji and the South Pacific in diverse industries including academic teachings at the University of Auckland and AUT University in Human Resources and Strategic Management disciplines.

Before joining Government in 2018, he was the Chief Human Resources and Governance Advisor for the Government of Nauru.

He attained his Diploma in Industrial Relations and Management and a Bachelors of Art Degree at USP and a Master of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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