Joeli Yabaki, the parade commander for the Naqere Youth Training Centre, reflected on how earning the Baton of Honour has shaped his understanding of time management. The 18-year-old from Nabouwalu, Bua, enrolled in the carpentry program at the training facility in Savusavu.
Yabaki described the cadet passing-out parade for students of the Fiji National Youth Training Centre as both emotional and overwhelming. The event featured a combined parade of students from the Naleba and Naqere training centres, with 25 male and seven female cadets from Naleba and 24 male and two female cadets from Naqere completing their training.
He noted that the seven weeks of cadet training instilled values such as discipline and honesty, while teaching 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.
Yabaki expressed gratitude for the presence of his family at the parade. He emphasized that today’s youth often engage in unproductive activities, but he learned the importance of utilizing time in constructive pursuits. As the overall best all-rounder, he advocated for the continuation of cadet training annually to help shape the lives of more students positively.
He acknowledged the initial pressure all cadets felt to meet the expectations of their families and teachers, but he reported that their confidence grew with each successful drill.