Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere is a Fijian chief and politician who is the president of Fiji since 2021.
18 Facts About Wiliame Katonivere
2.
Wiliame Katonivere has been the chief of Macuata Province since 2013, succeeding his older brother Aisea Katonivere, and was previously involved in conservation initiatives of Fiji's Great Sea Reef.
3.
Wiliame Katonivere is a board member for Fiji Airports, Fiji Sugar Corporation and Rewa Rice Ltd.
4.
At 19, Wiliame Katonivere joined the Royal Fiji Military Forces in 1984 and served two tours in the Middle East under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
5.
Wiliame Katonivere rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Forces and served as a Commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Regiment of the Territorial Forces.
6.
Wiliame Katonivere accepted the nomination in which Parliament convened the next day to vote on the presidency.
7.
Wiliame Katonivere garnered 28 votes defeating his contender SODELPA MP Teimumu Kepa.
8.
Prior in becoming president, Wiliame Katonivere resigned from all board positions he previously held.
9.
Wiliame Katonivere was sworn in as the 6th President of Fiji on 12 November 2021 succeeding Jioji Konrote.
10.
Wiliame Katonivere is the second President to come from the Northern Division.
11.
Wiliame Katonivere took the oath of office in front of Speaker Epeli Nailatikau and was awarded the 100 men Guard of Honour.
12.
On 22 November 2021, Wiliame Katonivere opened the new session of Parliament and delivered his key note address.
13.
Wiliame Katonivere urged all eligible Fijians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and warned about sudden price hikes in anticipation of borders reopening on 1 December 2021.
14.
Wiliame Katonivere was nominated as the FijiFirst government's candidate for the position of president of Fiji by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, while Teimumu Kepa was nominated by Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya.
15.
Wiliame Katonivere was able to gain the support of a majority of MPs in the first round of voting, thus defeating Kepa.
16.
Wiliame Katonivere was born on 20 April 1964 at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva to Ratu Soso Wiliame Katonivere and Samanunu Boteiviwa as the youngest out of seven siblings.
17.
Wiliame Katonivere attended Draiba Fijian School before completing his secondary education at Bua College in 1981.
18.
Wiliame Katonivere is married to Filomena Katonivere and they have two children and three grandchildren.