The parade commander of the Naqere Youth Training Centre, Joeli Yabaki, expressed that winning the Baton of Honour has emphasized the importance of time management in his life. The 18-year-old from Nabouwalu, Bua, enrolled in the carpentry program at the training facility in Savusavu.
Yabaki characterized the cadet passing-out parade for students of the Fiji National Youth Training Centre as both emotional and overwhelming. The event featured a combined passing-out parade for students from two Ministry of Youth training centres, with participants from Naleba, Labasa, and Naqere, Savusavu.
In total, 25 male and seven female cadets from Naleba and 24 male and two female cadets from Naqere successfully completed their training. He noted that the seven weeks of cadet training fostered discipline and honesty, while also teaching the youth about their responsibilities as patriotic citizens.
“The training helped me develop personally and make wise, timely decisions while leading the parade,” Yabaki stated. His family attended the parade, and he remarked that many young people often engage in unproductive activities; however, he learned the importance of using time effectively for meaningful pursuits.
As the overall best all-rounder, Yabaki advocated for the continuation of this annual cadet training program to positively impact more students. He acknowledged that all cadets initially felt pressure to meet the expectations of their parents and teachers, but stated that with each successful drill, their confidence increased.