More information on the late Sir Toaripi Lauti, Tuvalus first - TopicsExpress

More information on the late Sir Toaripi Lauti, Tuvalus first Prime Minister....a moving article from PACNEWS..... Tuvalus first Prime Minister laid to rest By Online Editor 09:54 am GMT+12, 29/05/2014, Tuvalu Tuvalu gave its first Prime Minister and Head of State - Sir Toaripi Lautii a state funeral that befitted a great statesman Wednesday the capital Funafuti. The state funeral was held at the Tausoalima Falekaupule while the funeral service was held at the Fetuaolima Church. Students of the Nauti Primary School and Form Seven Programme all stood at the sides of the road waving Tuvalu flags and flowers as his casket was escorted by Police and families to his residential home. Joining his family at the Tausoalima Falekaupule ( Hall) was the current Governer GeneralSir Iakoba Taeia Italeli, Prime Minister Enelee Sopoaga, cabinet Ministers, dignitaries, diplomats and their wives, members of the public service and representatives from agencies and non- governmental organisations and Associations. The Prime Minister described Late Sir Tore as a prominent leader, a champion and founder of the independent state of Tuvalu. However from all his great achievement and contributions to the development of the nation, the Prime Minister said, two events had made him admired late Sir Lauti. First, was when Sir Lauti was appointed to lead Tuvalu’s special envoy to climate change negotiations that instigated the Kyoto protocol and was also a signatory on the document. He also played a big part in the initiation of the drought agreement. Other speakers called him a man who exercised humility in his role as a father and leader. An emotional Funafuti leader Siasosi Finiki, described him as the Malefatuga Champion and warrior who had worked hard for his island and nation. A retired senior government official and academic Tito Isala described him as a person with good qualities, and the first Tuvaluan to attend the St Andrews College for studies in the teaching profession, member of the St Andrews cricket team, a boxing champ for St Andrews and Canterbury in NZ, and also set a record in Shot put at the school which was broke many years later by another student. His good qualities also led to him being appointed as House Prefect and School Prefect when whites dominated the school during that period. The testimonies of his great work and leadership on his island and nation also echoed in messages of condolences from other overseas organizations and people and relatives abroad who knew the late Sir Lauti He was born in the village of Toaripi in PNG and was named after that village by his parents who were members of the clergy Late Sir Lautii was also also behind the bilateral ties between PNG and Tuvalu that still continues todate. SOURCE: RADIO TUVALU/PACNEWS