Epeli Ganilau: Quotes about people

Epeli Ganilau is Fijian politician. Explore interesting quotes on people.

Epeli Ganilau: 90 quotes0 likes

“I would like to offer for the unity of our people, the adoption of multiracialism as the core ideal in searching for a clear way ahead. We need to get out of our comfort zones, our ethnic boxes and truly embrace multiracialism.”

Guest speech to the conference of the Fiji Labour Party, Lautoka, 30 July 2005

“To create a Fiji where people of different ethnicities, religions and cultures can live and work together for the good of all, can differ without rancour, govern without violence and accept responsibility as reasonable people intent on serving the best interest of all.”

Excerpts from a speech to the Fiji Institute of Accountants, 28 April 2005

“There are those people who are acting irresponsibly … and spreading their gospel of fear and hate and not doing anything to help the ordinary people put bread on their table for their families.”

Remarks made at the launch of the Navua branch of the NAP, 4 June 2005

“The process of electing members of Parliament to represent the people is at the heart of western democracy. Fiji courts are also part of an independent judicial system which is firmly rooted in western democracy. The basic civil lesson that our children learn in school is that democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people … Mr Qarase should answer whether he wants the western system of governance which allows him to be prime minister or the Fijian tradition which requires the chiefs to rule by virtue of their birthright and rank. Otherwise, he is just being hypocritical to save face. (4 September 2005, reacting to a speech made by Qarase at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on 29 August, claiming that democracy was alien to Fiji).”

Miscellaneous quotes

“When we leave out people on the grounds of ethnicity we limit our options. As such, we become poorer because we are not making optimum use of our human resources, thereby depriving us of the returns and full benefit of our capabilities.”

From a speech to the Lautoka Rotary Club, 13 May 2005

“As a people, we have not been able to chart a clear map toward a common destiny. We will not be able to do this if our leaders continue to promote sectional and separate development.”

Guest speech to the conference of the Fiji Labour Party, Lautoka, 30 July 2005

“For our people to have lived together for one and a quarter century it is difficult to believe that at a personal level so little cultural transfers have taken place.”

Guest speech to the conference of the Fiji Labour Party, Lautoka, 30 July 2005

“We pay lip service to multiracialism but we fail to put it into practice because we continue to see most things and ourselves from our own ethnic perspective. So long as the personal attitude persists, we will not see us one people of Fiji and our future will not be secure.”

Guest speech to the conference of the Fiji Labour Party, Lautoka, 30 July 2005

“In any case paramount traditional heads of provinces should, in my view, welcome the fact that their people who have had education and experience can relieve them as in the traditional line of delegation from the many functions the chiefs are required to do now, particularly if they are public servants or have not had the background of education and service as their people.”

Views on the chiefly system

“Whether some people like it or not, Fiji is already a multiracial society. We have different races, but that does not mean we should only work for the good of our own race. We have to truly understand one another, learn each other’s languages, and truly work together. There is huge potential in Fiji, and we would be amazed to see what we will achieve, if we work together.”

NAPF convention, 17 December 2005

“This is what the National Alliance stands for: To respect all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender and religion, to uphold godly principles and moral values and to respect the rule of law.”

Remarks made at the launch of the Navua branch of the NAP, 4 June 2005

“As a country, we have not started to see how much we can achieve as a nation and we will not have any idea of our strength if we continue to deny ourselves the opportunity to come together as one people. We have not been able to pool the resources and talent of our people and exploit them for our common good. It will continue to evade us if we continue to stress our ethnicity and group differences.”

Guest speech to the conference of the Fiji Labour Party, Lautoka, 30 July 2005

“Race is a fact of life and is not a problem unless people make it out to be so.”

2003
Miscellaneous quotes

“To share responsibility with the people of the province should be, in my view, the proudest bequest of a chief to his people.”

Views on the chiefly system