By: Eirenei Ariu ToleafoaÂ
The Government through Samoa’s Honours and Awards Investiture has awarded Tusanilefaiaao Iosefatu Reti a Companion of the Order of Samoa Award.
The Companion of the Order of Samoa Award is also known as the II Class Order of Samoa.
It is conferred upon Samoan citizens, or foreigners as an Honorary Award, in recognition of important national or international contributions made to the people, life, or culture of Samoa.
Tusanilefaiaao Iosefatu Reti is 77 years old and is from the villages of Savaia Lefaga and Siusega.
Tusanilefaiaao has served for 40 plus years in various capacities in the areas of the Forestry, Pacific Regional Environment, Environment Agency for Samoa and the South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation, for Samoa and the Pacific.
He was the first Samoan to become a Coordinator for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.) and wrote a paper on the future of S.P.R.E.P., to become an organization separate from the South Pacific Commission (S.P.C.).
Negotiated together with Mr. Kilifoti Eteuati, the establishment of the first S.P.R.E.P office in Samoa and the Pacific, and won the bid for Samoa.
In 2017, Tusanilefaiaao also received an award for his contribution in the Agricultural Sector in Samoa.
Some of Tusanilefaiaao’s efforts and services also benefited the people of Savaia Lefaga as well.
He was one of the Committee members who led the first Talomua to take place in Samoa, which was conducted in Savaia Lefaga.
Tusanilefaiaao is currently work as an Advisor and Consultant for Environment and Conservation.
