The body of former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is now lying in state at the State House.
The cortege was escorted by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Navy, through Waimanu Road, Mark Street, Usher Street, Scott Street, Victoria Parade, and Queen Elizabeth Drive.
The cortege was escorted by former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, Army Commander Major General Jone Kalouniwai, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, Navy Commander Commodore Timoci Natuva, senior military, Navy and Police officers.
Members of the public sat on the roadside as the cortege passed them, paying their final respects to the late former President.
The King Tupou VI of Tonga is paying his respects this morning.
From 9am to 1pm, overseas state and government representatives, the Fiji diplomatic corps, and local dignitaries will pay their respects and sign the condolence book.
Members of the public can pay their respects from 2pm.
Tomorrow, the State Funeral service will be held at Albert Park at 8:30am, followed by the final procession through Suva to Bau Island, where he will be laid to rest at the sacred burial ground, the Sau Tabu.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was also a former Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and former Speaker of Parliament.
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva when he was the Head of State, and mingling with the people of the country.
He served as the President of Fiji from 2009 to 2015.
Ratu Epeli was the great-great-grandson of Ratu Seru Cakobau.
He was also a grandson of King George Tupou II of Tonga.
His father was Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau who was also a former Deputy Prime Minister in the late Ratu Mara led government.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was married to Adi Koila Mara, the daughter of Fiji's long-time Prime Minister and later President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
He rose through the ranks to become the Commander of the Royal Fiji Military Forces.
Ratu Epeli held this position at the time of Sitiveni Rabuka's 1987 coup.
He then went on to become Fiji's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Following the 2000 coup, he was appointed as Interim Deputy Prime Minister.
In the interim government formed after the 2006 coup, he served as Interim Minister for Foreign Affairs, Provincial Development, and Indigenous Affairs.
He was formally sworn in as the President of Fiji on November 5th 2009.
He was known for walking the streets of Suva unaccompanied by bodyguards. He would line up at ATMs to withdraw money and eat at food courts, always with a warm smile and a greeting for those he met.
Ratu Epeli was also a dedicated advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness as the UNAIDS Special Representative for the Pacific, speaking frankly about sensitive issues like safe sex and use of condoms to combat the epidemic.
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