Former Deputy Prime Minister and veteran politician, Dr. Tupeni Lebaivalu, has passed away at the age of 81.
Dr. Baba was a founding member of the Fiji Labour Party and served as Minister for Education, Youth, and Sport in the 1987 FLP Coalition government. He also held the positions of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister in the 1999 FLP Coalition Government.
Following the 2000 coup, Dr. Baba split from FLP and founded the New Labour Unity Party to contest the 2001 election, but he did not secure a seat in Parliament.
He re-entered politics in the 2006 election under the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) banner, and again in the 2014 election as part of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
At the time of his passing, Dr. Baba was employed by the University of Fiji as the senior-most Professor of Education and Dean of the School of Humanities and Arts. His tenure at the University began in 2017 and was marked by intellectual leadership and a steadfast commitment to his students and colleagues.
“The University has lost a great academic, and the nation a deep intellectual. We will miss him,” said Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem. She also extended her heartfelt condolences to Professor Baba’s family, particularly to his wife, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, who serves as Vice Chancellor of the Fiji National University.