There’s an exquisite irony in the Education Minister and SODELPA leader, Aseri Radrodro, being humiliated by the Prime Minister in having the Fiji National University stripped from him and taken into the Prime Minister’s office despite the fact that it is completely against the law.
The move effectively protects his former wife, the Prime Minister’s daughter – an FNU staffer who he almost beat to death in a domestic violence attack a decade ago – as well as the PM’s sister, who is also on the staff, from allegations of favouritism and calls within the university for their removal.
Sitiveni Rabuka‘s “checkmate” has not only ensured that they survive and prosper but it is also payback time for the pain Aseri Radrodro has visited on the Rabuka family. The Education Minister is having to eat the biggest of “sh*t sandwiches” in full public view. And he has chosen to gobble it down in rapid time rather than stand up to his former father-in-law, who has figuratively done to Aseri Radrodro what Radrodro did to his daughter.
Let’s be perfectly clear. Taking the FNU away from the Education Minister is unlawful. Under the FNU Act – which can only be changed by Parliament – responsibility for the University rests with the Education Minister. But Sitiveni Rabuka has simply ignored the law, just as he continues to ignore the law and his constitutional duty by refusing to suspend the Chief Justice when a Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry has accused Salesi Temo of perjury and obstructing and perverting the course of justice.
So the Prime Minister’s disregard for the law isn’t new. For him, compliance is an option when it suits him. And it suits him in this instance to thumb his nose at the FNU Act and ride out the accusations of illegality and nepotism in a breathtaking demonstration of power worthy of Donald Trump. And the Education Minister and practically everyone else, as with Trump’s toadies in the US, fall meekly into line.
Aseri Radrodro has caved in and accepted public humiliation because Sitiveni Rabuka was daring him to stand up to him. Had he done so on the point of principle that he is the Education Minister and the law says the FNU comes under him, Rabuka was ready to accuse him of defying his authority as Prime Minister. And that would have brought on the showdown that many people think is behind this entire affair – to give Rabuka an excuse to cut SODELPA loose from the Coalition and use the numbers he has gained from the defection of former FijiFirst MPs in the parliament to deprive it of the incumbency of office in the lead-up to the coming election.
In that election, Rabuka’s People’s Alliance and Radrodro’s SODELPA are chasing precisely the same votes – the iTaukei. And getting rid of SODELPA from the Coalition now would give Rabuka a clear electoral advantage in taking SODELPA out of the limelight and forcing Radrodro and his colleagues to fight the election as ordinary MPs.
Aseri Radrodro hasn’t taken the bait. And it’s a sign of how much SODELPA values the benefit of incumbency that he has been willing to eat his “sh*t sandwich”no matter how unpalatable and how much it is unlawful.
How much humiliation is he willing to endure? We shall see. Because like Donald Trump, Sitiveni Rabuka is going to regard this as merely a setback. He will be reveling in the grovelling statement from Radrodro that the PM is boss and even if he disregards the law, SODELPA will back him. And will bide his time until he chooses to inflict another humiliation.
In the meantime, it is clear that the FNU is in chaos, just as USP was in chaos as the staff there tried to undermine the now departed Professor Pal Ahluwalia. You can read the secret whistleblower account of the alleged scandals at FNU below. And whatever the truth of them, they are now ultimately going to be dealt with in the Prime Minister’s office when there really ought to be an independent inquiry into the FNU as a whole. But we won’t be getting that, will we? Because Siti will fix it.
( Was that another pig flying over Suva?)
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First Aseri Radrodro’s world-class grovel.
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It is all completely against the law.
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But never mind what the FNU Council Chair thinks, the Vice Chancellor has the ear of the Prime Minister.
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Yet as always, there is a backstory to this affair, with only a hint of the detail in the mainstream media.
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So what are the allegations in detail? Here’s what you won’t see in the mainstream media – the FNU Whistleblower’s Report.
Do these allegations warrant a full investigation? Of course they do. Will we get one? Was that another pig flying over Suva?
UPDATE WEDNESDAY PM:
Wonder of wonders, the newly-registered People First opposition is suddenly getting more traction in the mainstream media after I reminded everyone that they could well form the next government.
They are going hammer and tongs for the Coalition on both the tardiness of Nancy Tikoisuva in action police recommendations arising from the COI and now on the FNU saga.
And amazingly, the following story is lead item on CFL-Fiji Village this afternoon.
Yadra GD.
I’m glad you now know that your earlier story that Aseri Radrodro had tried to sack his ex wife is a misrepresentation that your sources wanted to use to ensure Radrodro became the scapegoat of that sordid affair .
In fact don’t think for a minute that Radrodro hasnt calculated this move of accepting the PM’s directive . He is ensuring Sodelpa will deliver its promises using government resources to get more voters than they received in the last elections .
In the event Rabuka will want to sack Radrodro/ that would be welcomed by Sodelpa . Aseri has to look like a masi polo for now to gain Sodelpa either sympathy votes should they be sacked from the coalition ; or he gets to spread Sodelpa popularity to ITaukei voters.
You must remember apart from Bill Gavoka and Biman Prasad, he is one of the less than 6 members of parliament that has won his seat since 2014 and subsequent elections under the DHoynt system !
Long game GD and Radrodro is playing his cards right ,..,,
My ,My,My
What upright AND moral men and women we have in this incestuous facade of a rule in Fiji
From the Presidency,PM down.
Is adultery the norm and sleeping around the criteria for getting ahead?
The revelations,if true are mind blowing and we have not heard the latest about Lynda Lovelace
Bet she has better tales to share than Jezebel!
This is well orchestrated act being played by Baba and Karavaki with the full endorsement of their mentor, the treachorous father of all coups, Rabuka.
Education was the only sector one would think he may not have prevailed with his racist and ethno nationalistic agenda. Baba was the weapon, propelled by the likes of Karavaki and hand picked Council. One would remember how she came in as a mediocre academic from University of Guam and suddenly announced that she will be the VC. Her entire efforts were designed to oust the then expatriate VC and akeover. As usual the Fijian media showed no interest partly because a bigger drama was being orchestrated by the likes of Biman, Pal and others at USP.
As I mentioned in my post yesterday she is the number one instrument for Rabuka’s agenda, This move is designed to protect her when the shenanigans and blatant racism became even too much for the beneficiaries. Baba’s spotlight and, it would seem Aseri’s unwillingness to play ball, made Rabuka’s nationalist advisers to act. To hell with the law, here we have a Trump like dictator devoid of any legal knowledge or morality and principles. Perhaps it his way of depriving the minorities esp the Indo-Fijians of their greatest asset or tool. If one thought one is safe under Rabuka better think twice.
This drama was designed to fool the public. Karavaki’s apparent consternations now are designed to hide the fact that he was part of the process, which began 6 months ago, to give Baba/FNU immunity and protection under the PM’s office. This is becoming all so clear with Baba’s support of the move and Rabuka.
1. FNU as a university belongs to the Ministry of Education.
2. Putting FNU under national development Ministry is a joke and politically motivated as the Ministry doesn’t know how universities are run. Peni Sikivou is a so called economist and not educationist.
3. Radrodro buckled under pressure.
Let’s not forget that the late Tupeni Baba and Rabuka are cousins. So, Rabuka has not only moved to protect his daughter, but also his relative who also happens to be the VC and her appointment was also quite controversial.
Karavaki was working to have Nabobo-Baba replaced however, she’s obviously a better chess player then him and went to her late husband’s cousin who then showed his muscle, despite it being completely illegal.
Why? Because in 87, Baba was a part of the government group that were “arrested” by Rabuka when he stormed into parliament. Baba refused to get into the truck that was waiting for them and Rabuka took out his pistol, pointing it at Baba and stating “move.”
The relationship was destroyed in that moment and Rabuka has been chipping away in the background to re-establish that family tie; this latest action by him being his “matanigasau” to the family.
It will be a real pleasure if Rabuka crumbles in the elections because all his illegal and unconstitutional actions during his term will need to be reversed and a lot of people taken to court/jail.
Who would want to attend FNU after reading that whistleblower report? Which decent Employer would trust a qualification gained there?
The steady (and rapid) decline of institutions under the “Collision” government is impossible to ignore and explain away. Yet Siti keeps trying, and keeps embarrassing himself. Though he feels no shame, as one has to have a conscience to feel that.
So it appears that there are lot more relatives that needed to be protected – daughter, sister and sister in law! What a s**tshow🤑.
Radrodro owes a lot to Rabuka’s family so he will not be able to fight as it will be insulting the itaukei mores.
Radrodro is the son of a housekeeper of a expat staff at Tip Top who made the move and became the ‘lady of the house’ and turfed his kids out. Radrodro married young to Rabuka’s daughter so Rabuka’s family funded his living expenses and education.
You should have seen him in those days lording over everyone. His drove around like he owned the roads in the car given to him by Rabuka’s family. His wife was no different – both were arrogant and egotistical and a match made in heaven🫡.
So someone who came from nothing, with a gold digger parent, became opportunistic. The foundations of Radrodro’s success were built by Rabuka as Radrodro was very young when he hooked up with the daughter and produced multiple grandkids…they were teenagers.
I think you need to watch your mouth ! And so what is Radrodro was the son of a house keeper ? Meanwhile his mum is Salome and was married to an ITaukei man until her passing a few years ago!
As for Rabuka buying things for Radrodro- that is the joke that the whole of Serea village knows ! Aseri is a graduate Accountant and his first job was at KPMG before he rose to executive levels in Govt. Rabuka lost his seat by 1999. Aseri was married to his daughter in 1993 so only 6 years mate and at the time he was still at USP graduating in 1996!! So Rabuka was PM when Aseri joined KPMG and worked his way up . By the time Rabuka lost elections – Aseri became the life saver for that family !
The vehicle you speak of belonged to Aseri! Westpac Bank has all those details ! The house in Bayview Heights belonged to Aseri and he sold that in 2013!!
Your story about Rabuka is fine . But don’t turn this into a story against a young man raised by his grandparents and who made it in life despite immense struggles .
Rabuka and his family despised Aseri so much so that they hid from him that Salanieta Ligamamada Rabuka had a child out of wedlock by the name of Lavenia! Aseri only found out the young lady he was now married to had a kid when he accidentally saw her at Rabuka’s house!
We don’t support adultery and Aseri should never had beaten that slimy woman as she lay naked in bed with Inia Kubuabola! He should have walked away and never looked back ! But the sight of the lovers lying there and his kids in tow seeing their mum in bed with someone else broke the man!
So I’ll support the man many of us ITaukei know has suffered because Rabuka sees him as the poor village boy who managed to make it big and dumped his adulterous daughter !!
Sa Levu na lasu ! Go figure !
Crikey. Anyone want to quibble with this narrative? Talk about letting it all hang out.
and there you were GD, thinking that the distinguished (according to Perry World House) global leader was a god fearing, straight talking lay preacher.
well, the lay preacher bit could be right for he will lay with anyone who will help him further his ends.
Thats a lot of detail covered in glitter. I have name called John, the moneybag for Salome and family.
Well well well….so, it’s all about securing jobs for Rabakau’s family! Vote this Government out!
Also, dont vote Radroro and Sodelpa as they supporting nepotism.
NFPee should be eliminated as well.
Commitments to excellence by FNU, from their online 2024 annual report. Wow, the last of their 5 Values is super-duper: “Excellence in everything we do”!
VISION: To be the leading dual-sector university in the Pacific.
MISSION: To serve the people, the economy and society of Fiji and the wider Pacific region, by providing education and training for employability, with an excellent student experience; carrying out research with real world impact, aligned to national priorities and with global relevance; engaging proactively with stakeholders, in our communities, nation and region; and demonstrating leadership in sustainability.
VALUES:
Care – for ourselves and each other
Honesty – in the spirit of continuous improvement
Accountability – to our students, stakeholders and funders
Service – to our communities, nation and region
Excellence – in everything we do
All of the above go into the trash can, VC. FNU is no longer the university of choice. Sad that both USP and FNU have been bogged down by Fijian politics that have adversely affected tertiary education throughout the Pacific region. When is the University of Fiji’s turn? As others have observed, this is Government’s way of effectively destroying the sector that the Indo-Fijian community thrives in.
It looks like Unaisi Baba is portraying herself as very godly suddenly ! All posts about God this and God that ! The woman was sharing to a lot of us that she was having an affair with the President of Fiji at the time Mr Katonivere hence he is always appearing at FNU events .
Most recently she has been dating Orisi Seruitanoa a former teacher and her most recent victim is none other than the PS Education himself Mr Raj!
Unaisi is well known to lure men by her wealth . She used Dr Baba to gain stature and even before Dr Baba died, she was sleeping around with men !
She thinks she’s got people fooled but doesn’t realise so many known her !
A woman of no class and poor taste !
Excellence in everything we do!
So future PM Lynda is not alone!
Karavaki has been kicked out from FNU campus this afternoon. Kaaraik
Couldn’t have happened to a nicer c.
I think it is the beginning of self-immolation in PAP. You reap what you sow.
The blast from the past and dinosaur fossil is surely losing control.
But then, he is a magician too, let us see what rabbit he pulls out of the hat this time.
And we all thought the previous government was heavy-handed.
So the poopoo government and the poopoo prime Minister now going to make the education system in fiji poopoo as well.
Cronyism
Just to add to the plot, the recently appointed Ambassador to PRUN (in Geneva), Ilaitia Tamata is the brother in law of Rabuka’s sister at FNU.
Tamata who couldn’t ever secure a fulltime job in Fiji, was only a part-time lecturer with Shaista Shameem at UniFiji, whose contract wasn’t extended, before being drafted at FNU as an ‘adviser’ to Uniaisi Baba. Crikey. An adviser!! Someone who has almost zero knowledge of academia.
But the biggest insult is propelling him as Fiji’s Ambassador in Geneva, the second highest profile post after New York. This was previously occupied by the distinguished Luke Daunivalu.
So jump on the gravy train while it is still going.
And they accused FijiFirst of cronyism! These guys are going to burn at the ballot box and burn in hell for their betrayal of those who put them there by one vote on the floor of the parliament and their betrayal of the national interest.
Us coconuts love rolling in it GD.
A couple of coconuts firebombed a house belonging to the 2-i.c. of the Alameddine crime family in Sydney last week and were caught on CCTV saying “do not mess with us coconuts”.
This is precisely the message that the local coconuts are putting out there – “do not mess with us”. At the end of the day our chiefs (including the ones who have become a “ratu” in this circus) are god’s gift to us and, can do no wrong. It is only a matter of time before the great council of coconuts makes slr a ratu.
And, you get the drift.
Vinaka Joseva, for your revelation. Because, as is standard nowadays, that display of medals on the ambassador’s chest during commissioning at State House was thought to be the main criterion for selection and appointment. So it will not be long before he pulls out that infamous green/red tie to wear in Geneva.
A bit of AI’ing helped connect the dots and clarify the connections between “the Rabuka” and “the Tamata” as Shania would say. Further revelation about the “prominent” and “respected” lady academic is given below, anti-climaxing somehow with that gender bit.
“Bale Tamata FNU” refers to Dr. Ulukalesi Bale Tamata, a prominent academic and expert in Environmental Science and Management at the Fiji National University (FNU), often noted as Head of the School of Science and an Assistant Professor, known for research in water quality, climate change, and sustainable resource management. He’s a respected figure in Fiji’s scientific and educational sectors, involved in research, teaching, and leading environmental initiatives.
Indeed Graham, cronyism at its best, and yet more to come while there is still before the ballot box arrives.
Vinaka Joseva. A reliable source once shared with me that this bloke, Laitia Tamata, was given consultancy contracts from a few NGOs’. He was so lackluster and inept, that the NGOs’ had to terminate his contract midway into the consultancy period because of his shoddy work. He was that mediocre.
He also indulged in cronyism and nepotism at Media Watch Group, a now defunct CSO. So, this is Snake Rambo’s “standard” of selecting our senior diplomats for overseas missions.
The seat of PRUN to Geneva was once occupied by distinguished diplomats such as Ambassador Nazhat Shameem-Khan and Luke Daunivalu. And this collision government under Snake Rambo chooses Tamata. Talk about how low our standards have gone fallen.