Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has offered his congratulations to Justice Filimone Jitoko on his recent appointment as the Speaker of the Parliament in Fiji. Rabuka highlighted Justice Jitoko’s impressive career and extensive experience, which he believes will greatly benefit the role.
Justice Jitoko graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 1969 and later earned a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, being admitted to the New Zealand Bar in 1978. His career has been marked by significant achievements in both diplomacy and law. In 1980, he completed courses in Multilateral Negotiations in New York and International Diplomacy in Washington, D.C., and subsequently served as Fiji’s Secretary for missions in both cities. From 1985 to 1987, he was the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court in Fiji.
Following this, Justice Jitoko was appointed as the Solicitor General for the Fijian government, holding the position for six years before serving as Secretary to Cabinet from 1993 to 1996. His diplomatic path included roles as Fiji’s Ambassador to Israel, Brussels, and Denmark. In 2002, he returned to Fiji to serve as a High Court Judge until 2009. Moreover, he contributed internationally as the Chief Justice of the Nauru Supreme Court from 2000 to 2017, taking on the role of Registrar there from 2015 to 2017.
Rabuka expressed confidence that with such a wealth of experience, Justice Jitoko will excel in his new position as Speaker of Parliament, affirming that his leadership will enhance Fiji’s legislative processes.
This appointment signifies a positive step for Fiji, bringing a leader with a rich background who is likely to contribute to the country’s governance and legislative effectiveness. With Justice Jitoko’s extensive history in law and diplomacy, there is potential for innovative approaches to the challenges that lie ahead for the Fijian Parliament.
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