Joeli Yabaki, the parade commander from Naqere Youth Training Centre, has reflected on his journey to receiving the Baton of Honour, emphasizing the importance of time management. The 18-year-old, originally from Nabouwalu in Bua, participated in the carpentry program at the training centre in Savusavu.
Yabaki described the cadet passing-out parade for students of the Fiji National Youth Training Centre as an emotional and overwhelming experience. The event combined graduates from two Ministry of Youth training centres, one in Naleba, Labasa, and the other in Naqere, Savusavu.
From Naleba, 25 male and seven female cadets graduated, while Naqere saw 24 male and two female students complete their cadet training. Yabaki noted that the seven weeks of training instilled discipline and honesty in the youths and educated them on their responsibilities as patriotic citizens.
“The training helped me grow personally and taught me to make wise and timely decisions when leading the parade,” he stated. With family members present at the event, Yabaki recognized that many youths engage in unproductive activities, stressing the need for young people to make better use of their time in valuable pursuits.
As the overall best all-rounder, Yabaki advocated for the continuation of the cadet training program annually to positively shape more students. He acknowledged that all cadets initially felt the pressure of expectations from parents and teachers, but noted that their confidence improved with each successful drill.