HE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S SPEECH AT THE TANOA HOTEL GROUP – CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

·     Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Youth and Sports, Hon. Parveen Bala
·     Area General Manager Fiji, Tanoa Hotel Group, Mr. Narend Kumar and the Staff of the Tanoa Hotel Group;
The Commissioner Western Division, Mr. Mesake Ledua;
·     The hardworking management and staff of Tanoa Hotel Group;
·     Loloma Home children and staff;
·     Pastor Michael Naisau of the Christian City Church;
·     Ladies and gentlemen.
 
Ni sa Bula Vinaka, and a very good evening to you all.  
 
The First Lady and I are extremely honoured and very thankful for the opportunity to share in the Christmas spirit and the message of hope and love during this Tree Lighting ceremony.
 
We are equally grateful for this opportunity to begin the festive season in the West and to also meet all of you today.
 
To the Tanoa Hotel Group, on behalf of my wife, Filomena and our family we thank you for the experience and the hospitality that you continue to refine each time we stay in one of your hotels, to ensure that your customers are always satisfied.  The Tanoa Hotel Group would not be where it is today had it not been for Mr. YP Reddy, a man of great integrity, vision, generosity and caring attributes.
 
His determined spirit in business coupled with his personal attributes we can witness in the continued success yet caring atmosphere and experience that the Tanoa Hotels offer its customers - I for one can personally attest to that.
 
Today’s Tree Lighting event is a special occasion – to marvel at the essence, meaning and message  of Christmas – Christmas being a time to share our time, resources and love with our fellow citizens and humanity in general.
 
Having the Loloma Home children present at today’s ceremony is fitting, it allows us that shared opportunity to show Compassion, hope, joy, good tidings and Love for the present and future generation of Fijians!
 
Tanoa Group of Hotels has been in existence for over 56 years, and during the course of its existence, the Group has contributed to much of Fiji’s national development and philanthropic efforts through the Reddy Foundation. The Foundation has also contributed to many worthy causes that focus on senior citizens, health and education among many others.
 
This Annual event of Christmas Tree lighting hosted by the Tanoa Group of Hotels marks the beginning of the festive season and is testament to the commitment it has in its guests and the local community showing true tourism hospitality and Christmas spirit.
 
Again, to have the Loloma Home for Children present tonight is indeed a great opportunity to share with our children the hope that there is beauty in humanity and to look after and look out for one another, and look to one another for support.
 
 
During these difficult and trying times - with the challenges that Covid-19 and the new norm has posed on humanity,  we must as a people ensure that no one is left behind, that we all progress and move forward together. 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, as your Head of State/ Pillar of National Unity it is my wish that all citizens and most importantly that this Tree Lighting Ceremony shall signify the hope of a great and positive Christmas and future for us all!
 
May God bless us all and continue to bless our beloved Fiji.
 
Vinaka Vakalevu, Thank you All.