Seventh-day Adventists on Fiji Islands are mourning the death of a prominent Adventist and head of a public institution who passed away last week in Fiji.

Semi Tabakanalagi, 46, was the general manager of the Native Land Trust Board (NLTB). Native land, managed by NLTB, an independent body outside the control of government, comprises 87% of all the land in Fiji and was permanently deeded by the British Crown in the 1880’s.

And at the time of his death, he was helping to find a resolution over the Adventist church-owned Fulton College land lease issue.

Thousands of people from around Fiji, including state president Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda and interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, attended the funeral of Mr Tabakanalagi, who had been battling a long illness.

NLTB legal and public relation officer Alipate Doviverata Mataitini said the death was a loss as the NLTB board had placed hope and faith in him to take them forward into the future.

"His passing has left a vacuum and he will be missed greatly by staff and the Board of the NLTB," said Mr Mataitini.

Mr Tabakanalagi is survived by his wife, Vaseva, and their five children.
[Editors: Semi Francis and David Gibbons for ACAL/APD]