Member of Parliament Va’ele Pa’ia’aua Iona Sekuini is Laid to Rest

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 07 MARCH 2022: The Member of Parliament for the electoral constituency of Gagaifomauga No.2. Va’ele Pa’ia’aua Iona Sekuini was laid to rest at his home at Vaitele this afternoon.

In his eulogy on behalf of the Government and Parliament, Speaker Papalii Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u spoke highly of Va’ele as a gentleman who is cheerful and full of respect of other Members of Parliament.

“These are much desired qualities of a Member of Parliament who respects other Members whether government or the Opposition,” said the Speaker.

A first time MP who was elected only 11 months ago, Va’ele was chosen to chair the crucial Finance Committee of Parliament, was a member of the Parliamentary Committee appointed to investigate the discrepancies in the Land and Titles Act passed in December 2020 and was the Associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Speaker spoke of the late MP’s perseverance in highlighting and pursuing the development needs of his district.

Va’ele was elected as an MP in the 9 April 2021 general elections for the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi-FAST party and was sworn in on 24 May 2021.

“He died on the 25 March 2022 after 10 months serving as a Parliamentarian and laid to rest today, 7 April 2022, two days short of his first anniversary as an MP,” the Speaker noted.

The 10 months he served as an MP he argued for better access roads in the district as more people have moved inland, incentives for people with living with disabilities, better water and electricity supplies for the district, better internet connectivity and low fares for inter-island travel between Upolu and Savaii.

“He had a long term vision for his district and such is the responsibility of every MP, and for Va’ele, he has gone too soon before fulfilling his dream for the district,” said Papalii.

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa presents the Samoan flag to Tupuola Mati Sekuini, the late MP’s wife in honour of his service.

Va’ele’s wife remembers a dedicated family man
Va’ele’s wife, Tupuola Mati Sekuini spoke highly of her late husband’s achievements as a person, a dedicated family man and a loving father.

Vaele was born on 15 May 1964 and he would be 58 next month.

Married on 27 June 1992, they had 5 children of their own and “lots of adopted children from Va’ele’s family.”

Tupuola spoke of the many blessings and callings on Va’ele which has excelled their family to a new norm.

Starting their young family and living at Vaitele, Va’ele decided to return to his family and village in Safune, Savaii. He started a business and farm that inspired others to return to the land.

It was through his service to his family that they decided to bestow the orators title Pa’i’a’aua on him, and later, the chiefly title Va’ele.

Va’ele served his village of Matavai, Safune through the two matai titles but his calling and service did not stop there.

The EFKS church at Vaitele elected him as a deacon and later the Aoao Fesoasoani – Lay Preacher.

“It does not matter how big or small the calling was, Va’ele will always answer yes,” said Tupuola.

One of his relatives recounted that Va’ele tried three times to enter the Malua Theological College to study and train to become a church minister but he failed.

The relative remembered their late uncle, respected educator Te’o Magele Eteuati’s words “that perhaps God’s calling for Va’ele was not as a church minister but to serve the family and village in other ways.”

The funeral service was held at the Vaitele EFKS Church and followed by the burial at his home not far from the church.

During the final service at the gravesite, Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa presented the Samoan flag to Tupuola Mati Sekuini and the late MPs family in honour of his service.