THE late Ratu Jone Yavala Kubuabola was a man of a quiet nature but he had a very analytical mind, says former prime minister Laisenia Qarase.
He highlighted this while delivering his eulogy during Ratu Jone’s funeral service held at the Centenary Church in Suva today.
Ratu Jone was the former governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji where he served for 12 years.
He was also the former Finance Minister and served on this post from 2000 to 2006.
Mr Qarase said in all his associations with Ratu Jone, his attitude had never changed.
“I first shared a flat with him while studying in the University of Auckland in New Zealand along with the late Mosese Qionibaravi and the former governor of RBF Savenaca Siwatibau. He was a very quiet and humble young man,” Mr Qarase said.
“We met again in 1978 and he was still the same young man I met in Auckland.”
Mr Qarase said the remarkable recovery of Fiji’s economy from 2001-2006 was due to a large part that Ratu Jone had contributed in.
Hundreds of politicians, colleagues and friends joined family members at the church to pay their last respects.
Ratu Jone was laid to rest at the Suva Extension Cemetery.
