Good Morning and Ni Sa Bula. Firstly, on behalf of the people and Government of Japan, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences on the passing of the Former President of the Republic of Fiji and the Turaga Na Tui Vuda, Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda. He was a great Statesman and a revered paramount chief, whose memories will be deeply cherished by the nation of Fiji.

I wish to convey my sincere compliments and congratulations on this auspicious occasion today, as we have gathered here to commemorate the ‘Launching of the Joint Venture Between Ba Provincial Council and Free Bird Institute.’ Education forms the core of nation building and new initiatives and new partnerships in the education sector, such as the one we are witnessing today, are healthy benchmarks for the emerging generations and for the generic future of Fiji and for that matter, any country.

Ba Provincial College has served the people of Fiji with great distinction for almost 4 decades and with blessing of the Ba Province, combined with the new international direction provided by the initial inclusion of 22 Japanese students from the Free Bird Institute and underpinned by the added momentum generated by the new management, I am confident that such a combination would make Ba Provincial College a formidable entity in the education sector in Fiji.

I am also confident that the new joint venture will positively contribute towards people to people exchange and stronger relations between Japan and Fiji. With these few words, I hope the local, Nauruan and Japanese students of Ba Provincial College attain success in their academic endeavors and I pray that the joint venture between Ba Provincial Council and Free Bird Institute flourishes with continued success.

Thank you / Vinaka Vakalevu