Pio Tikoduadua
| Pio Tikoduadua | |
|---|---|
 Tikoduadua in 2014 | |
| Minister for Infrastructure and Transport | |
|
In office 25 September 2014 – 11 May 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
12 September 1966 Nakorovou, Namalata, Tailevu |
| Nationality | Fijian |
| Spouse(s) | Sereana Cagileba (1998-) |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Lt Col Pio Tikoduadua (born 12 September 1966 in Namalata, Tailevu) is a Fijian politician and former Member of the Parliament of Fiji. He served as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport[1] until his retirement in 2015.
Tikoduadua is a former Lieutenant colonel in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. He joined the cadet training school with the current RFMF Commander, Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga, He also worked as an interpreter in the local courts to gain experience. He has also held several leadership roles before becoming Chief Of Staff: Operations at the RFMF. When Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's office, Parmesh Chand was transferred to Public Service Commission, Tikoduadua took over the role.[2]
In June 2014, he resigned as the PS to pursue a career in politics joining the FijiFirst party.[3]
Early Life and military
Tikoduadua was raised by his single mother, Senoveva Ranadi and wanted to be a truck driver. He attended primary school at Natovi and Saint Vincent College as well as St John’s College in Levuka.[4] He had his tertiary education in multiple universities including University of New South Wales, The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra and the Naval Post Graduate College in Monterey, California. He made it to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 2006 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Command and Staff College. As a military officer, he has served in Lebanon, Egypt, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
Tikoduadua was elected in the 2014 election, in which he won 3,611 votes.[5] He was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport in September 2014.[1]
Resignation and joining NFP
On May 11, 2015, He resigned as Minister due to his failing health as he suffers from an advanced form of cancer and wanted to spend time with his family and his people in Delasui, Tailevu.[6] Assistant Minister for Education, Vijay Nath was then appointed as the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.[7]
In April 2017, he made a comeback to politics but this time, he joined the National Federation Party and claimed that he resigned from FijiFirst because of the Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama after a former Member of Parliament, Dr Neil Sharma was forced to resign following his vote with the Opposition members in regards to a Parliament motion relating to health issues and he gave his opinion to the PM that they should show flexibility and forgiveness as this was an opportunity for the Government to listen and learn about why one of its MPs had felt so strongly about an issue that he would vote with the Opposition. He said that the PM initially accepted his recommendation and he informed the MP that the matter was resolved but then he took advice of the Attorney-General and changed his mind. He went back to argue his case again but was informed that his opinion did not matter.[8] In June 2017, he was appointed the NFP President.[9]
References
- 1 2 "20-member Cabinet announced". FBC. 2014-09-24. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
- ↑ DELAIBATIKI, NEMANI (22 August 2014). "BATTLE FOR REWA". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ Kotoiwasawasa, Vosita (29 July 2014). "Tikoduadua resigns to contest election". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ "Tikoduadua: Let’s Strive Together To Better The Lives Of All Fijians". Fiji Sun. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
- ↑ "2014 Election Results". Fiji Elections Office. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
- ↑ "Fiji Minister resigns due to ill health". Radio NZ. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ↑ Pratap, Ritika. "Assistant ministers appointed". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ↑ Losirene Lacanivalu (2017-04-16). "PM Responds To Tikoduadua’s New Reasons For Resignation In 2015 | Fiji Sun". fijisun.com.fj. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
- ↑ "Tikoduadua: I Am Honoured | Fiji Sun". fijisun.com.fj. Retrieved 2017-06-09.