Ambassador Fatumanava-o-Upolu Luteru, on behalf of the Government and people of the Independent State of Samoa, expressed deepest and heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the passing of His Excellency Brigadier General (RET’D) Ratu Epeli Nailatikau (CF, LVO, OBE, (Mil), KStJ, MSD, GCCT, CSM, jsc, psc), former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Fiji, on 26 March 2026. 

In his message, Ambassador Luteru wrote: “We join in remembering and celebrating Ratu Epeli’s many achievements and contributions not only to his beloved country but also to our regional community and beyond.  We honour his legacy of unselfish service and shall miss his calming presence, which tempered with compassion defined for us what it is to embody civic duty and grace under pressure.  Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will be profoundly missed.” 

On a personal note, Ambassador Luteru said it was a great honor and privilege knowing Ratu Epeli during his nearly two decades of working in Fiji.  He recalled Ratu Epeli being a keen golfer but above all, Ambassador Luteru remembered Ratu as a people’s man, humble and with unmatched dignity.