Page 5 - IB December 2024

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

WE NEED GOOD LEADERS

The absence of good leadership has been an issue for many Pacific countries for
far too long. Publisher & Editor
In 1962, Samoa regained its independence from New Zealand – the first Pacific Netani Rika
Island state to take control of its future. Six years later, Nauru would resume self-
rule after years of control by Australia and Great Britain. General Manager
It is important to state that the Pacific regained, rather than received Samantha Magick
independence, for before the arrival of colonisers, these countries of the liquid Sales, Marketing & Subscriptions
continent were fully independent. Waisale Rokotuiveikau
The first local leaders to take over after the departure of the colonial
leadership were often of chiefly birth, educated in foreign lands, or groomed to Reporters
align themselves with their former masters. Aisha Azeemah
Indeed, it has been said that while the colonial powers left, they were replaced Ema Ganivatu
by clones of themselves. In fact, it was as if the British, Australian or New Zealand Prerna Priyanka
powers never left.
Many Pacific leaders began their tenure as beacons of hope but found
themselves consigned to the rubbish dump of history after falling into corruption Designer
or refusing to exit gracefully. Dick Lee
The man often seen as Fiji’s founding father, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, departed
the political scene in 2000 a tired, broken man who could not believe how his Contributors
country and its institutions had abandoned him after his decades of tireless work Edward Clark
for national development. Ernest Heatley
In Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare refused to allow autonomy for Nic Maclellan
Bougainville, choosing instead to fill Port Moresby’s coffers with revenue from the Rowena Singh
resource-rich Panguna Mine. Ben Wheeler
Nauru looked on as Sir Hammer DeRoburt used the national airline as private
transportation for shopping trips to Japan and Australia. They watched as the
nation’s fortunes were frittered away on food, drink and wasteful living.
This first level of Pacific leadership was replaced by a new crop who promised IsIslands Business is published monthly by
Front Page Pte Limited
to bring about hope, change, and an end to corruption. But real change seldom Editorial & Advertising Offices
happened. GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands
It is pertinent to ask what kind of leaders the Pacific needs as the region heads Tel: +679 9719660
toward 2030, nearly 70 years after the first territory regained its sovereignty.
Emails
The answer must be that our people deserve leaders of integrity, sound Editorial: editor@islandsbusiness.com
judgement and who lead with justice. Leaders must serve with love for their Subscriptions: subs@islandsbusiness.com
people, the nation and the region. Advertising: marketing@islandsbusiness.com
For in this rapidly developing world, no island, no country stands alone.
The threat of climate change is real and will affect the entire Pacific. Economic
development, or the lack of it, is also an existential threat. These will not be Printing:
avoided by bilateral relationships between Pacific nations and their metropolitan Star Printery Limited, Suva, Fiji Islands
counterparts.
Our leaders must talk to each other and work together if the region is to
survive. We deserve leaders who are willing to put others first. July-August 2023 FJD $8
www.islandsbusiness.com www.islandsbusiness.com December 2023 FJD $8

Netani Rika

THE BEAUTY AND
netani.rika@yahoo.com BUSINESS OF BILAS MANASSEH SOGAVARE
PACIFIC PERSON
OF THE YEAR
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