Former Deputy Prime Minister, distinguished politician, and academic, 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 a split with the FLP after the 2000 coup, Dr. Baba established the New Labour Unity Party to contest the 2001 election, though he did not secure a seat in Parliament. He later returned to politics in the 2006 election as a member of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) and then again in the 2014 election with 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 began in 2017 and was distinguished by his intellectual leadership and unwavering 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 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.