The nation is mourning the passing away of Member of the Council of Deputies, Tuiloma Pule Alaimoana Unasa Lameko Gae’e. 

Tuiloma passed away early morning yesterday at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. He was 83.

His passing was confirmed in a statement issued by the family.

“Our family is deeply saddened by the passing of a man of great faith who always taught us the values of integrity, humility, respect, fairness, love and service for family, village, church and the people of Samoa,” the statement reads. 

“A lay preacher who loved the Lord, an orator and high chief who was rich with knowledge and pride for his Samoan heritage, a statesman, a politician, a Fellow chartered accountant, a farmer and a business man whose life was devoted to serve. Known to our family as 'Meko', he will be sorely missed."

 News of Tuiloma’s passing immediately attracted condolences from relatives and friends all over the world.

“Rest in our love and hearts our dear beloved Uncle, Hon. Tuiloma Pule Alaimoana Unasa Lameko,” wrote Blake Silimaka Wong Ling.

“Now reunited with our dearly missed Aunty and your Masiofo, Melini. You have served Sāmoa all of your life and have been rewarded by being a member of the Council of Deputies / Deputy Head Of State these past years.”

Another mourner writes: “We will miss you Tuiloma Pule Lameko. 

“Thank you for the many blessings you gave us... we miss your smile, your jokes, especially you teasing me. You were a father to all of us here in Sapunaoa. Manuia lau Malaga.”

An Accountant by profession, Tuiloma was a long serving Member of Parliament and a founding member of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.). 

During his life of service, Tuiloma served as the Minister of Revenue and Public Trust Office under the Tofilau Eti Alesana Government and then Commissioner of the Public Service Commission.

He had also served as President of the Samoa Rugby Union. 

Tuiloma first entered Parliament as a representative of Safata District for 16 years from 1979- 1995. 

He served as an M.P. from Falealili for another 15 years from 2001-2015. 

In February 2016, Tuiloma was sworn into Office as one of the Members of the Council of Deputies.

Tuiloma’s son, Aumua Isaia Lameko, replaced his father in Parliament when he took up his post in the Council of Deputies with another former Member of Parliament, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia.

Tuiloma’s funeral arrangement details are not known yet.

Education & Professional Qualification:

• Avele School & Samoa College

• Member, Samoa Society of Accountants Incorporated (MSAI) 1973

• Fellow Chartered Accountant (Samoa Institute of Accountants) 2009

Public Service

• January 2016 to April 2018 – Appointed Member of the Council of Deputies

• March 2011 To January 2016 in Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s Third Administration (HRPP): Member Of Parliament, Falealili (15th Parliament of Samoa), Minister of Revenue & Public Trust Office

• April 2006 To March 2011: Member Of Parliament, Falealili (14th Parliament of Samoa), Associate Minister To The Prime Minister

• April 2001 To March 2006: Member of Parliament, Falealili (13th Parliament of Samoa), Associate Minister To The Prime Minister

• 1996 to 2001 – Commissioner, Public Service Commission

• 1991 To 1996 in Tofilau Eti Alesana's Fourth Administration (HRPP), Member Of Parliament, Safata (11th Parliament of Samoa), - Minister of Sports & Cultural Affairs.

• 1988 To 1990 In Tofilau Eti Alesana's Third Administration (HRPP), Member of Parliament, Safata (10th Parliament of Samoa), Minister of Agriculture.

• 1985-1988 – Member of Parliament, Safata (9th Parliament of Samoa)

• 1982-1985 – Member of Parliament, Safata (8th Parliament of Samoa)

• 1979-1982 – Member of Parliament, Safata (7th Parliament of Samoa)

• 1976-1978 - First General Manager (Samoa Shipping Corporation)

• 1975 – Seconded To The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington DC.

• 1969 - 1975 Senior Accounts Clerk Then Chief Accountant - Treasury Department

• 1950s- Western Samoa Trust Estate Corporation (WSTEC)