High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, OStJ, (born July 5, 1941) (often referred to as Na Turaga Mai Naisogolaca) is a Fijian chief and the current President of Fiji. He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government. From 2001 to 2006 he served as Speaker of the House of Representatives - the lower and more powerful chamber of the Fijian Parliament. He was also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Appropriations Committee and of the House Committee. On January 8, 2007, he was appointed the interim Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade; he was moved to the post of interim Minister for Provincial Development and Multi-Ethnic Affairs in September 2008. In October 2008, he became Indigenous Affairs Minister "and effectively Great Council of Chiefs chairman". On 17 April 2009, he was appointed Vice-President by the Military government. On July 30, 2009, he became Acting President after the retirement of 88-year-old President Iloilo. On November 5, 2009, he was sworn in as the new President of Fiji.