Forty-seven students from Nadi, who received training from police officers, are now ready to assume leadership roles within their communities. These students, drawn from various schools in Nadi and Sigatoka, participated in a two-day Blue Light leadership training and practical skills development program at Korovuto College in Nadi.
The initiative was organized and backed by Blue Light, a New Zealand-based registered charity that works alongside police to provide a variety of youth programs and activities. Blue Light aims to diminish the chances of young people becoming either offenders or victims of crime while promoting stronger relationships among the police, youth, parents, and the broader community.
On Wednesday, the 47 students marked their graduation from the program.
Divisional Police Commander West, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Iakobo Vaisewa, urged the students to act as change agents in their schools and communities. He emphasized the importance of their training and recognized the potential they hold as young leaders.
“Be mindful of all that you have learned. We have gathered from different areas of Nadi because we believe in your potential as leaders,” SSP Vaisewa stated. He highlighted the dangers some of their peers face, including drug use, sexual offenses, assault, burglary, and theft.
He noted the serious issues of drug involvement, glue sniffing, and the sharing of explicit photos for money and sex, which tarnish the image of today’s youth and present significant challenges for Fiji.
SSP Vaisewa cautioned them against following such paths, reminding them they have the power to choose wisely. “This is the direction some of your peers are taking. You have the opportunity to select the right path,” he said.
He encouraged students to appreciate their own value and potential, urging them to recognize the significance of their choices regardless of what others may say about them. “Understand your worth and capabilities. You were chosen for this program to become agents of change,” he concluded.