Nabala Secondary School, the sole institution in the Northern Division with a drum band, has finally upgraded its musical equipment after 16 years. The donation, totaling $8,000, includes four single drums, one brass drum, and a set of four tenor drums, courtesy of the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North committee.
Epi Raikivi, the principal of Nabala Secondary School, expressed his excitement and gratitude on behalf of the school’s 14-member band, which consists of hostel students from Years Nine to 13 and represents 11 villages. “In 2008, the Fiji Police Force donated a drum set to our school, and since then, we have been repairing and reusing it,” Mr. Raikivi noted. He also acknowledged Master Seru Tuidravutu, a long-time member of the band since 2012, who played a crucial role in securing the assistance from the festival committee.
Mr. Raikivi mentioned that the band has been part of the festival’s entertainment lineup for five years. Although the teacher who led the band resigned earlier this year, his contributions were vital in obtaining the much-needed equipment. Nabala Secondary School is located about 33 kilometers from Labasa Town.
The band, wearing light blue and navy blue uniforms, often performs at events hosted by other schools, organizations, and community functions. Zaheen Ibrahim, president of the Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North Committee, emphasized the festival’s commitment to community engagement and music education. “This donation reflects our dedication to community development, skill enhancement, and support for music education,” Ms. Ibrahim stated. She also highlighted that the festival had previously provided $5,000 worth of equipment last year, along with an additional $3,000 in the most recent donation as part of their ongoing commitment to the school.