Page 37 - IB May 2025

People People

The Office of the Attorney General of • David John ‘DJ’ Uiagalelei (Samoan), and Rite of Profession of Vows at St.
CMNI will not renew Assistant Attorney quarterback - signed as an undrafted Agnes Parish Church in Nabua, Fiji, on
General James Robert Kingman’s free agent by the Los Angeles May 10, along with three of his fellow
employment contract, which will expire Chargers. missionaries.
on July 2, 2025. Kingman confirmed that • Joshua Fuga (Samoan), defensive Fiji 7s’ Joji Nasova was named in the
his contract with the OAG will not be tackle - signed as an undrafted free 2025 HSBC SVNS Men’s Dream Team after
renewed.
agent by the Los Angeles Chargers. the World series in Los Angeles. He also
The National Football League (NFL/ • Laki Tasi (Samoan), IPP athlete from finished as joint Men’s top try scorer with
American Football) has drafted 11 Brisbane, Australia - invited by the Marcos Moneta of Argentina scoring 26
Pasifika players. They are: tries each.
Detroit Lions to Rookie Camp.
• Tetairoa McMillan (Kanaka Maoli),
wide receiver - selected in the first In memory
round, 8th overall pick by the Carolina Special mentions
Panthers. Zen Waqavonovono has become the Fiji rugby international Josaia Raisuqe
• Josh Simmons (Samoan), offensive first Fijian to graduate with a Bachelor has died following an accident in France.
Raisuqe, aged 30, played for Castres,
tackle - selected with the final pick in of Music in Music Therapy from the a Top 14 rugby union team based in
the first round, 32nd overall pick by prestigious Berklee College of Music Castres, France. He was also a member
the Kansas City Chiefs. in Boston, USA. Waqavonovono was of the Fijian 7s team that won silver at
among students from 75 countries who
• Jonah Savaiinaea (Samoan), offensive graduated during the College’s 2024 last year’s Paris Olympics.
guard - selected in the second round, commencement ceremony. He was the Assistant Commissioner of Police,
37th overall pick by the Miami only graduate from Fiji and one of just Sakeo Raikaci, of the Fiji Police Force
Dolphins.
two from the Pacific region, the other has passed away at the age of 56.
• Jaylahn ‘JT’ Tuimoloau (Tongan), being from the Federated States of Raikaci dedicated 35 years of service to
defensive end - selected in the Micronesia. the Fiji Police Force.
second round, 45th overall pick by the Young Solomon Islands Climate Samoa MP for the constituency
Indianapolis Colts. Activist, Belyndar Rikimani, has become of Falealupo, Aeau Dr Peniamina

• Francisco ‘Kiko’ Mauigoa (Samoan), the first Pacific Islander to be awarded Leavaise’eta, has passed away. Aeau’s
linebacker - selected in the fifth the Peter Lyon journal for her article service to the country was not restricted
round, 162nd overall pick by the New on climate justice and the impacts of to the political arena. He also served at
York Jets. climate change on Pacific Island people. the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital as a
Her article appeared in The Round specialist and consultant for 46 years.
• Jay Toia (Tongan), defensive tackle - Table: The Commonwealth Journal of
selected in the seventh round, 217th International Affairs and Policy Studies
overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys.
in 2024.
• Moliki Matavao (Samoan), tight end - Julson Ribauw has become the first
selected in the seventh round, 248th Nauruan brother of the Catholic Church
overall pick by the New Orleans Saints.
after committing to the final vows of
• Keleki Latu (Tongan), tight end - poverty, chastity, and obedience. Ribauw
signed as an undrafted free agent by declared his vows at the Eucharist
the Buffalo Bills.

Islands Business May 2025 37