Vanuatu loses its head of state, Father Baldwin Jacobson Lonsdale, a ni-Vanuatu politician and Anglican priest who has served as President of the Republic of Vanuatu since 22 September 2014.
Late Father Bani was rushed to Vila Central Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning but was pronounced dead later.
Father Baldwin Lonsdale is Vanuatu’s new Head of State! He polled 46 of the 58 votes.
— pacnews pina (@PACNEWS1) September 22, 2014
Fr Baldwin Lonsdale passed his theological studies at the St John’s College (Auckland) and the Bishop Patteson Theological College, Kohimarama, Solomon Islands. He worked for the British National Service (1968-72).
Before becoming president he was secretary general of the province of Torba on the island of Mota Lava and was elected president in an indirect election by an electoral college consisting of members of parliament and provincial governors, the vote took eight rounds; the longest ballot in the country’s history.
In his first speech as president, Lonsdale stressed the importance of the appointment for the province of Torba, promised to uphold the constitution, and asked the people of Vanuatu to stand united.
Late Father Lonsdale is the second Anglican priest to become head of state, the first one was Father John Bani who served the office from 1999-2004.
He is an example of a renaissance man.
A LEADER
Sale Sumbe reports HE Head of State of the Republic of #Vanuatu, Fr. Lonsdale Bani entering #Hogharbor Village… https://t.co/ZAkv2iqdke
— KANDA (@ytskanda) May 18, 2017
WOMEN’S RIGHTS ADVOCATOR
Vanuatu Head Of State Calls For More Women In Parliament: Lonsdale meets with Vanuatu National Council of Women https://t.co/Jk9HYP5Koz
— PIDP-EWC (@PIDP_EWC) November 17, 2016
CLERGYMAN
Head of State Thanks Latter-day Saints for Strengthening Faith in Vanuatu https://t.co/WpdNrtoaEk
— Jean-Baptiste CALO (@jbcalo71) March 22, 2016
A JUDGE
#CC Vanuatu’s president revoked pardons issued by the parliamentary speaker while the head of state was traveling https://t.co/c09vsBBuy5
— WSJ Risk&Compliance (@WSJRisk) October 19, 2015
USP CHANCELLOR
Late Womtelo Rev. Baldwin Lonsdale, President of the Republic of Vanuatu was appointed chancellor of the University of South Pacific on 4th September 2015.
A CHIEF
Mr Lonsdale was a highest-ranking chief in Vanuatu’s Banks group of islands.
Patron of Vanuatu Red Cross Society
THE HEAD OF STATE
New Year’s messages from #Vanuatu head of state & PM call on citizens to play active role in nation’s prosperity: https://t.co/6zkFeiNHgH pic.twitter.com/qw170UwkoV
— Vanuatu Digest (@VanuatuDigest) January 3, 2017
He will be missed by his family in the Banks group, Torba Province, and the whole nation of Vanuatu.
NATIONAL WEEK OF MOURNING DECLARED
21/06/2017
A national week of mourning from 17th to 26th June 2017, was declared by Prime Minister of the republic of Vanuatu Honorable Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas. The declaration is intended to mourn the passing away of His Excellency the late Wotmelo Reverend Baldwin Jacobson Lonsdale.
Read moreDECLARATION OF PUBLIC HOLIDAY
18/06/2017
A national public holiday on Wednesday 22nd June 2017, was declared by acting president of the republic of Vanuatu His Excellency Esmon Simon. The declaration is intended to mourn the passing away of His Excellency the late Wotmelo Reverend Baldwin Jacobson Lonsdale.
Read morePhotos from VCH to State House
17/06/2017
Late Womtelo Rev. Baldwin Lonsdale’s body moved from Vila Central Hospital to the State House by Vanuatu Mobile Force.
Read moreALL SPORTS EVENTS ARE CANCELLED
17/06/2017
All sports events arranged for today 17th June 2017 are cancelled by the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu in respect to Late Womtelo Rev. Baldwin Lonsdale, and the order was done by the Minister of Youth and Sports. Late Wotmelo also has a son training in China for the 2017 Pacific Games so he urges everyone to respect the moment.
Read moreOFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
17/06/2017
The office of the head of state of the Republic of Vanuatu formally announced the passing away of late Womtelo Rev. Baldwin Lonsdale suddenly passed away early this morning 17th June 2017. The office of the HOS is working with the government in arranging a state funeral and will announced the program later on today on the details of the funeral service. The message is signed by the Office of the Head of State of the Republic of Vanuatu. Source: http://bit.ly/officalAnnouncement
Read moreANNOUNCEMENT BY CAPITAL FM 107
17/06/2017
Source: http://bit.ly/107announcement
Read moreVanuatu President Dies After ‘Sudden Heart Attack’
17/06/2017
Late Womtelo Rev. Baldwin Lonsdale, President of the Republic of Vanuatu died early hours this morning after suffering a heart attack.
Read moreHe gave his last official speech at NZ High commission function yesterday
16/06/2017
On Friday night he gave a speech at a New Zealand High Commission function and those who attended said he appeared to be in a fine health.
Read morePresident Lonsdale receives Crans Montana Foundation Award
22/03/2017
The President of the Republic of Vanuatu, Baldwin Lonsdale was awarded the prestigious Crans Montana Foundation 2017 Award or Prix de Fondation 2017 for his achievements as an Anglican priest in his capacity as Head of State to uphold peace and unity in good times and bad times especially after the devastation caused by category 5 tropical cyclone Pam in March 2015.
Read moreVanuatu Head Of State Calls For More Women In Parliament:
17/11/2016
The Head of State, President Baldwin Lonsdale, has repeated his desire to see more women in the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu. He told members of the national executive committee of the Vanuatu National Council of Women (VNCW) that paid a courtesy call Tuesday to the State Office in Port Vila
Read moreVanuatu: President Dissolves Parliament
01/12/2015
Just over eight months after Cyclone Pam devastated the South Pacific nation, and just as the United Nations Climate Change Conference gets underway in Paris, with the outcome of vital interest to Pacific nations, Vanuatu’s president dissolved Parliament, after 14 of its members were convicted for bribery.
Read moreVanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale has revoked the pardon of 14 MP
16/10/2015
Father Lonsdale cited constitutional obligations on leaders to conduct themselves in such a way that avoided conflicts of interest, compromising official duties, demeaning the office, allowing their integrity to be called into question, or endangering or diminishing respect for – or confidence in – the integrity of Vanuatu’s government. He said Mr Pipite infringed all of these obligations, making the revocation necessary.
Read morePatron of Vanuatu Red Cross Society,
29/09/2015
President Baldwin Londsdale, Head of State and Patron of Vanuatu Red Cross Society, was the guest of honour at the ceremony. His excellency presented award recipients with their medals whilst later participating in a traditional kava ceremony alongside Mr Ati George Sokamano who was also in attendance. Mr Sokamano is Vanuatu’s first elected president and the recently elected president of VRCS’s board. CEO Jacqueline De Gaillande, of the award recipients, also addressed the guests during the evening. Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s mission is to improve the lives of Vanuatu’s most vulnerable communities. The evening helped the reinforce this mandate and further inspire the provision of humanitarian support to those most in need.
Read moreVanuatu president hopes for united stand with Fiji on Papua
25/08/2015
Vanuatu’s president Baldwin Lonsdale says it is the country’s hope that Vanuatu and Fiji will eventually unite to address the issue of West Papua.
Read moreCyclone Pam: Vanuatu president Baldwin Lonsdale breaks down while describing devastation
16/03/2015
The president of Vanuatu has made an emotional plea for humanitarian assistance following the widespread devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam at the weekend. Speaking from the Japanese city of Sendai, Baldwin Lonsdale broke down while describing the tragedy in his homeland.
Read moreBaldwin Lonsdale sworn in as President
17/09/2014
Baldwin Lonsdale was chosen as president by Vanuatu’s electoral college – comprising the 52 members of parliament and the heads of the six provincial governments – in September 2014. He succeeded Iolu Abil when his five-year term in office expired.
Read more
