The COVID-19 pandemic should not dampen people’s spirits or stop them from celebrating Fiji’s 50th anniversary of independence, says President Jioji Konrote.
He made the comment while handing out 32 commemorative medals to recipients at the State House yesterday.
Mr Konrote said the medals were given to individuals who had served selflessly and immensely contributed to Fiji’s social, economic and political progress and development.
He said while the pandemic had resulted in Fiji scaling down its national celebrations, people should mark the event in their own special way.
“The present COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on our national plan to commemorate our 50th independent celebrations,” President Mr Konrote said.
“This should not dampen our Fiji can-do spirits, nor deviate our focus and attention from the fact that within a period of half century since independence, our young and devoted nation has evolved into an expectable level of universal, social, economic and political maturity.”
He said celebrating the historical event in style could not be done because of the financial constrains brought about by the pandemic.
Mr Konrote said people should be proud of how Fiji had progressed in today’s unpredictable and uncertain global environment.
He said Fiji would have a week-long program to mark Fiji’s 50th year of independence.
