FORMER Fijian President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has passed away aged 84.
The career soldier turned diplomat and public health advocate was admitted to the hospital late on Thursday and died hours later.
Nailatikau was the grandson of George Tupou II of Tonga and son of former Fijian Deputy Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Edward Tuivanuavou Tungi Cakobau. He was the great-great-grandson of Ratu Seru (Epenisa) Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Queen Victoria with 12 chiefs in 1874.
In 1978, Nailatikau was the first battalion commander of Fiji’s troops on peacekeeping duties with the United Nations in Lebanon. He rose through the ranks to become a brigadier and head of the then Royal Fiji Military Forces.
While Nailatikau was on official duties in Australia in 1987, Lieutenant-Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka overthrew the elected government of Dr Timoci Bavadra.
Nailatikau was appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom and left the army. He later became Speaker of the House of Representatives and President while also being an outspoken advocate in the area of HIV-AIDS in Fiji and the Pacific.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced during the week.
Nailatikau is survived by his wife, Adi Koila, and two children.