Former Minister for Forestry Osea Naiqamu will be re­membered as a kind hearted man.

Mr Naiqamu who had been sick for some time, died at his home on Sunday, at around 2pm. He passed away at the age of 60.

Wife Ulukalisi Bale Naiqamu said her husband was a kind hearted person and anybody who knew him knew the kind of person he was.

“I miss him,” she said.

Brother

His elder brother Atunaisa Nati described the life of Mr Naiqamu, as one that was like a flower giving a sweet aroma.

He was well-known to the family and the Vanua.

Mr Nati said his brother was well educated and despite his academic achievements he remained humble.

“In our younger days when we re­turned from school and there was no food at home, Osea would silent­ly take the spear and go out to fish.

“All our relatives have gathered here after they heard of his pass­ing. It is because of his good heart. He was a humble person.”

Background

The late Mr Naiqamu hailed from Uto Village, Ba and was born on Au­gust 2, 1961.

He attended Swami Vivekananda College, and later pursued a degree in Financial Accounting and Man­agement from the University of the South Pacific (USP).

He was the chief executive officer of the Fiji Pine Trust and was a for­mer director of the Fiji Sugar Cor­poration and Fiji Forest Industries, Pine Landowners Co. Ltd, and Nadi Forests Co. Ltd.

He joined politics under the Fiji­First Party which formed Govern­ment and was then nominated as Minister for Fisheries and Forestry in September 2014.

He was re-elected to Parliament in 2018 and appointed Minister for Forestry.

He later tendered his resignation from Cabinet on June 1, 2021 to fo­cus on his health.

He is survived by his wife, Uluka­lisi Bale, five children; Aminiasi Navodre, Sikeli Rabuka, Iminoni Galecia, Vutaeli Naivalulevu, Ulu­kalisi Bale and five grandchildren.

His funeral will be held on Friday at his family residence at Nawai­coba, Nadi.