The Fiji National University carried out three iTaukei traditional protocols to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere at the State House to show their respect and thanks for what the Tui Macuata has done for the institution.
The FNU Council and the administration presented a soli, a matanigasau and a thanksgiving protocol to the President.
While addressing the staff from FNU, Ratu Wiliame acknowledged the institution for the step they have taken.
He says he didn’t expect it, but he is honoured to see that they taken have taken the step to respect traditions.
Ratu Wiliame says having a tertiary institution in Vanua Levu has been his main priority since he took up the role of Tui Macuata in 2012.
He adds that when they gave the land to the institution, he was thinking of the hardships that students of the North had to face in terms of looking for a tertiary institution to attend because most of the tertiary institutions were in Viti Levu.
The President says he is working hard to have the Labasa FNU not only a divisional institution but a regional and internationally recognised one.
Speaking on behalf of FNU, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Unaisi Nabobo Baba says they are grateful to the President and Tui Macuata, Ratu Wiliame for giving them land in the North to establish a FNU institution.
She says they presented the traditional protocols to the Tui Macuata to show their respect, thanks and apology.
