WHEN people humble themselves and pray, their land will be healed. This is one of the Biblical promises that visiting Fiji President Josefa Iloilo believes in. That could also explain why this highly respected Fijian leader wakes up at 4 a.m. everyday to pray.
“He is a praying president. That makes him great. He knows where to get help,” Manuelito Rey, pastor at Cornerstone Church in Koblerville, said in an interview.
The president, whose complete Fijian name is Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda, “is a leader who honors the Lord.”
Under Iloilo’s leadership, Fiji witnessed “an unprecedented unity displayed among (the peoples) of his country.”
Fiji suffered major setbacks economically and socially following the military coup in 2000 which ousted the country’s first ethnic Indian prime minister.
But Fiji is already recovering, Iloilo’s supporters said.
Iloilo and Fiji’s first lady, Adi Salaseini Kavu, together with six other staff members, are scheduled to arrive this afternoon from Narita, Japan.
The delegation will be welcomed at the airport by Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, according to the organizers.
The president’s activities on Saipan have been arranged by an advance party headed by Pastors Manasa Kolivuso and Pita Cili in consultation with local groups.
Iloilo will be the keynote speaker in two events on Friday.
He will speak during the leaders’ meeting at the Hibiscus Room of Dai-Ichi Hotel.
On Friday evening, the president will speak during the 3rd Annual National Day of Prayer at Hopwood Junior High School.
Beginning tomorrow till Thursday, the president will hold separate meetings with various groups including the local Fijian community.
