Fijian high commissioner passes on after short illness

FIJI’S high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mosese Tikoitoga, passed away in Port Moresby on Friday, following a short illness, according to Fiji’s foreign affairs ministry.
“His leadership, commitment and diligence contributed to the deepening of our relations with Papua New Guinea,” a ministry statement said.
He served as the high commissioner to PNG based in Port Moresby until it was closed in November 2020. He returned to Port Moresby in September this year after the Fiji government decided to have it re-opened. A keen golfer, he was a member of the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club.
Tikoitoga was also the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in 2014 and 2015, “a responsibility he took on with pride, dedication and humility”.
Arrangements are being made to repatriate his body to Fiji where he is expected to be accorded a full military funeral as a former military commander.
Tikoitoga was educated at the University of Canberra, gaining a Masters in Management in Defence Studies, and at the University of Madras, where he gained a Masters of Philosophy in Defence and Strategic Studies.
In 2011, he served as chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union.