Fiji, Dec. 1 -- A woman who headed Pacific Islands News Association's Secretariat in its heyday and won international recognition for her media freedom and environmental journalism work died in Suva Friday.

Nina Ratulele Lomas passed away in hospital aged 60 after a determined two-year fight to try to beat cancers.

Nina was the wife of Fiji Sun Publisher/chief executive officer Peter Lomas.

He recalled: "Nina was working at the then substantial Islands Business magazine group when she was asked by the PINA leadership to take over the new PINA Secretariat in 1992 after its start up faltered.

"She worked tirelessly with visionary PINA leaders such as Tavake Fusimalohi (Tonga), William Parkinson (Fiji), Monica Miller. (American Samoa), M...