New Governor General unopposed

Speaker will announce the new GG today

BY EDDIE OSIFELO

Former Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia, Reverend David Vunagi.

FORMER Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia and Principal of Selwyn College, Reverend David Vunagi is the new 7th Governor General of Solomon Islands.

Rev Vunagi was the only candidate nominated by Minister of Education and Human Resources, John Dean Kuku for the post at the close of nomination at 4pm yesterday.

As such, the clerk or Speaker will announce his victory when Parliament meets this morning.

Clerk to Parliament, David Kusilifu confirmed that Parliament will relay the message to Government House after the announcement this morning.

Rev Vunagi will replace the incumbent Governor General Sir Frank Kabui who had held the post for the last 10 years.

He will become the first Isabelian to hold the post since Solomon Islands gained Independence in July 7 1978.

When Rev Vunagi assumes Office as the Queen’s Representative, he will have become the third Anglican to occupy the Vice Regal Office after Sir John Ini Lapli of Temotu Province and Sir Nathaniel Waena of Makira-Ulawa Province.

Despite an apparent split by the three Isabel Province’s Members of Parliament, the Government vote last Friday had settled the matter.

Solomon Islands has produced six Governors General since independence in 1978. The late Sir Baddeley Devesi who hailed from Guadalcanal Province was the first, followed by Sir George Lepping of Western Province. He too had passed on.

Choiseul Province’s Sir Moses Pitakaka followed. He too had since died.

There are three living Governors General. They are Sir John Ini Lapli of Temotu Province, Sir Nathaniel Waena of Makira/Ulawa Province and Sir Dr Frank Kabui of Malaita Province.

Sir Frank is likely to leave office on July 7.

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