Forty-seven students from Nadi, who were trained by police officers, are now ready to assume leadership roles in their communities. The students represented various schools from Nadi and Sigatoka and participated in a two-day Blue Light leadership training and practical skills development program at Korovuto College in Nadi.
This initiative was organized by Blue Light, a registered charity based in New Zealand, which collaborates with police to provide various youth programs and activities. The main objectives of Blue Light include minimizing the chances of young people becoming both offenders and victims of crime, as well as improving relationships between the police, youth, parents, and the wider community.
These 47 students graduated from the program on Wednesday.
Divisional Police Commander West, Senior Superintendent of Police Iakobo Vaisewa, urged the students to act as agents of change in their schools and communities. He emphasized the importance of retaining and applying what they have learned during the training. “We have gathered individuals from different areas in Nadi because we believe in your potential as young leaders,” he stated.
SSP Vaisewa expressed concern over certain behaviors among youth, warning that some of their peers are involved in dangerous activities that jeopardize their safety, such as drug use and theft.
He cautioned them about the negative path that some may take and encouraged them to choose the right direction instead. “You have the chance to make the right choices and recognize your own worth and potential. Remember, your value doesn’t depend on what others say,” he added, motivating the graduates to embrace their roles as change-makers.