Joeli Yabaki, the parade commander from the Naqere Youth Training Centre, shared that receiving the Baton of Honour has taught him the importance of time management. The 18-year-old, hailing from Nabouwalu, Bua, enrolled in the carpentry program at the training center located in Savusavu.
Yabaki described the passing-out parade for students of the Fiji National Youth Training Centre as an emotional and overwhelming experience. The parade featured cadets from two Ministry of Youth training centers in Naleba, Labasa, and Naqere, Savusavu, who came together for a joint celebration.
From Naleba, 25 males and seven females graduated, while Naqere saw 24 males and two females complete their cadet training. Yabaki mentioned that the seven-week training course instilled discipline and honesty, teaching participants about their duties as patriotic citizens.
He noted, “The training helped me grow as a person and make wise and timely judgments when leading the parade.” His family attended the event, and he reflected on how many young people today engage in unproductive activities. He emphasized that youth should focus on using their time wisely for productive and meaningful activities.
As the overall best all-rounder, Yabaki called for the continuation of such cadet training annually, advocating for the positive development of more students. He acknowledged that all cadets initially felt the pressure of meeting their parents’ and teachers’ expectations, but he observed that their confidence grew with the success of each drill.