Former Prime Minister and current Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says the Fiji 50 Independence Commemorative medal is a State award and not a government award.
Rabuka highlighted this after receiving his medal today at State House with 29 other recipients.
He says some people have been making negative comments about the government and how they were giving out the Fiji 50 Independence Commemorative medal.
Rabuka says he has received this medal with the contribution of his team as a leader.
He says every leader sits on the shoulders of hardworking people.
Rabuka says as Fiji celebrates 50 years of independence, we have gone through the darkest period in our lives as a nation and we have learnt from those times and we have moved on.
Rabuka says on October 10th 1970, he was already a Commissioner in the RFMF but was on the Fiji Rugby Team Tour in England as it was their centennial year.
Earlier,
Hot Bread Kitchen owner, Doctor Mere Samisoni, FASANOC President, Vidya Lakhan, Pure Fiji owner, Gaetane Austin, former Chief Magistrate Sekove Naqiolevu, Koroipita developer, Peter Drysdale, Small Claims Tribunal Chairperson and former CEO of British American Tobacco, Joel Sahai, Pio Bosco Tikoisuva, singer Jese Mucunabitu, former Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner, Aisea Taoka, Doctor Joji Malani, former Permanent Secretary and former Vice President of Methodist Church of Fiji, Apisalome Tudreu, Fiji Performing Rights Association Chairman, Eremasi Tamanisau Junior and navy officer Niko Baleiverata were also handed medals by President Jioji Konrote.
Other recipients were Susana Evening, Captain Matereti Tuisue, Kolinio Takali, Waisale Vuniwaqa, Meli Tora, Mohammed Rafiq, Emori Tawake, Ernest Dutta, Mosese Tabuya, Raj Sharma, Krishan Kumar, Eroni Antonio, Raymond Mani, Krishan Vilash, Biu Baravi and Savenaca Tuivaga.
