Caption: Students from Lautoka’s Natabua High School during the Fiji Day celebrations in Lautoka yesterday.Photo: MINFO
By ASHTOSH SINGH
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Viliame Naupoto yesterday reminded the youths of Fiji to recognize the value of education one has in their lives.
Officiating at the Fiji Celebrations in the western division yesterday, the Minister told students and youth who gathered at the event that Government was fully committed to the growth and development of Fiji’s youth.
“Like any 43 year old, we have developed our wisdom,” the Minister said as he referred to Fiji’s 43 years of independence.
“We are now wise enough to understand that our differences, be it racial, religious or otherwise is not a barrier but a blessing that we should embrace,” he said.
“We are wise enough to recognize that our youth are the energy of our nation and that they can vote at the age of 18 and have their voices heard in the running of our nation.”
Crowds turned up at both Labasa and Lautoka yesterday to celebrate Fiji’s independence anniversary, members of the public, business houses and corporate entities flocked to the town of Labasa in hoisting and swaying their flags up high as civil servants and school children marched through town.
Meanwhile, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama will officiate at the celebrations at Albert Park as this article goes online.