The parade commander for the Naqere Youth Training Centre, Joeli Yabaki, shared that receiving the Baton of Honour has taught him important lessons in time management. The 18-year-old from Nabouwalu, Bua, participated in the carpentry program at the training center in Savusavu.
Yabaki described the cadet passing-out parade for the students of the Fiji National Youth Training Centre as an emotional and overwhelming experience. The event included students from two Ministry of Youth training centers in Naleba, Labasa, and Naqere, Savusavu, who held a joint cadet passing-out ceremony yesterday.
In total, 25 male and seven female cadets from Naleba, along with 24 male and two female students from Naqere, completed their cadet training course. Yabaki noted that the seven weeks of training fostered discipline and honesty, while also educating the youth about their responsibilities as patriotic citizens.
“The training helped me grow as a person and make wise and timely judgments when leading the parade,” he stated. His family attended the parade, and he reflected on the importance of youth using their time wisely, rather than engaging in unproductive activities.
As the overall best all-rounder, Yabaki advocated for the annual continuation of this cadet training to help mold more students positively. He acknowledged that all cadets initially felt pressure to meet the expectations of their parents and teachers, but he emphasized that their confidence increased with each successful drill.