The parade commander of Naqere Youth Training Centre, Joeli Yabaki, has shared that receiving the Baton of Honour has emphasized the importance of time management in his life. The 18-year-old from Nabouwalu, Bua, participated in the carpentry program at the training center located in Savusavu.
Yabaki described the cadet passing-out parade for Fiji National Youth Training Centre students as an emotional and overwhelming experience. The event, held yesterday, featured students from two Ministry of Youth training centers—Naleba in Labasa and Naqere in Savusavu—in a combined ceremony.
Twenty-five male and seven female cadets graduated from Naleba, while Naqere saw 24 male and two female students complete their training course. Yabaki noted that the seven-week cadet program fostered discipline, honesty, and a sense of responsibility among the youth, teaching them their duties as patriotic citizens.
“The training allowed me to develop as an individual and make sound judgments while leading the parade,” he stated. His family attended the parade, and he remarked that many young people today engage in unproductive activities. He emphasized the need for youths to use their time wisely in constructive and meaningful ways.
As the overall best all-rounder of the group, Yabaki advocated for the continuation of the cadet training program each year to positively influence more students. He acknowledged the initial pressure cadets felt in meeting the expectations of their parents and teachers, but expressed that their confidence grew with each successful drill.