- YOUTH MINISTER ADDRESSES 5TH MINISTER OF YOUTH WORLD FORUM – Fiji’s efforts in developing the youth population in the country was today presented at the 5th Minister of Youth World Forum.
- WOMEN PROVE THEMSELVES AT CRAFT SHOW IN BUA – Government’s commitment to empowering women’s groups in villages and settlements are proven in the efforts of women wanting to take part in craft shows and expos.
- ROAD, WATER AND ELECTRICITY DISCUSSED AT NDP CONSULTATION – Roads, electricity and water were amongst the requests from the people of the Tikina of Nadi in the Bua Province at the National Development Plan Consultations this week.
- PUBLIC TURN OUT TO AGRICULTURE SHOW NORTH IMPRESSIVE – Close to 4,000 people in the Northern Division have been attending the Agriculture Show in Labasa this week.
- YOUTH MINISTER ADDRESSES 5TH MINISTER OF YOUTH WORLD FORUM
Fiji’s efforts in developing the youth population in the country was today presented at the 5th Minister of Youth World Forum.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Laisenia Tuitubou while making the presentation said that as a Small Island Developing State, these forums offered the chance to showcase to the world the pursuit for development targeted towards the Fijian youth population.
“The significance of this conference is immeasurable as it cannot be over emphasized due to the prevalence and subsequent presence of social and economic problems that are derived from the absence or lack of sound characters and values in our youth population,” said Mr Tuitubou.
With the forum’s theme being “Character Education: Present and Future”, Minister Tuitubou said that there was a need to revitalize the weakening minds of young people.
“In today’s drastically changing global society, coupled with the need to revitalize and strengthen the weakening mindset of today’s youth around the world, the need for character education is all the more relevant.
“Presently, the Fijian Government has put in place programmes to instil virtues and values on our young people; through the Ministry of Youth and Sports facilitated programmes such as the Seeds of Success and accompanying empowerment programmes, we have identified key areas for our youths to implement in order to actively grow,” Hon. Tuitubou said.
While addressing Youth Ministers and educational leaders from 50 countries, Minister Tuitubou also mentioned the programmes that were being undertaken to address the lack of character in youths.
“The notion of a well-disciplined youth population is also being worked towards through the conducting of disciplined training in most primary and secondary schools in Fiji being conducted by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces,” said Minister Tuitubou.
He added that in the coming years, there were also plans to see that all schools along with Ministry of Youth training centres underwent this training with the thought that a disciplined pupil was an ideal student, imparted with values required to address social issues.
“The need to strengthen Character Education is therefore paramount in this day and age because in my opinion, the youth of today are a different breed all together due to today’s cyber-genetic age of smartphones, gadgets, wireless networks and the internet, therefore there should be much emphasis placed on the imparting of moral and human values.
Hon. Tuitubou stated that it was due to the general lack of knowledge about values in life and the negative attitudes and behaviour prevalent among many young people today that had prompted the Fijian Government to reemphasize instruction on moral and human values in schools.
“Changes such as the revaluation of values education in Fiji have been mandated to ensure that students are educated in moral and human values; through this it is hoped that young people will be nurtured to become citizens who will practice and uphold these values which are so very important in the building of a happy harmonious family, community, country and nation,” he said.
Mr Tuitubou also highlighted that the through the strengthening of Character Education, issues such as alcohol & drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV & AIDS and unemployment would be addressed.
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- WOMEN PROVE THEMSELVES AT CRAFT SHOW IN BUA
Government’s commitment to empowering women’s groups in villages and settlements are proven in the efforts of women wanting to take part in craft shows and expos.
Officially closing the Bua Women’s Craft Show in Nabouwalu yesterday, Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea congratulated the 53 women, who were announced winners at the craft show.
Mr Vocea said these women will be given the opportunity to be part of the National Women’s Expo in October this year.
“I believe that Government’s effort to empower women’s groups in every division, village and settlements is coming to fruition and the women are voluntarily showcasing their talents in such events,” Mr Vocea said.
Mr Vocea said Government had been opening resource centers in villages and areas where they know that women can make use of their talents and earn income for their families.
Mr Vocea urged women not to neglect their responsibilities at home.
“Mothers, daughters and sisters do not forget your responsibility at home to your children, husbands and family as a whole,” Mr Vocea said.
He also advised the men of Bua to support women in such events because this was a way to generate income for their families.
“Men must now understand that most of the developments that government is trying to embark includes women as a crucial part of this development process.
“They are voicing what they need for the people and their villages. These women are part of economic development for our nation,” Mr Vocea added.
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- ROAD, WATER AND ELECTRICITY DISCUSSED AT NDP CONSULTATION
Roads, electricity and water were amongst the requests from the people of the Tikina of Nadi in the Bua Province at the National Development Plan Consultations this week.
The consultation was held at Ram Singh’s residence, Togalevu Estate where people from the four main villages attended the consultation.
Dip Singh, a local businessman informed the National Development Plan team that the main services they requested government to look into were water and electricity.
“Electricity is very important for us here, I have a shop that runs on generator and I find that it is too expensive, electricity will help us continue our business,” Mr Singh said.
Mr Singh added that they also needed proper water supply in their area as it is their basic need.
“We have a water source here, it needs to be surveyed as well,” Mr Singh said.
Divisional Planning Officer Northern Alipate Bolalevu who was part of the consultation team informed those present that a waterfall in Naivakasale has been identified for a potential hydro power supply.
“This was identified and surveyed in the last three years, however it depends on the Fiji Electricity Authority, the investors are ready but FEA is needed to buy the power,” Mr Bolalevu said.
“These consultations are for you, are for the people, the future generation, we will put this up to government, we need your patience,” Mr Bolalevu said.
The Consultation process in the Northern Division will end on the 28th of this month.
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- PUBLIC TURN OUT TO AGRICULTURE SHOW NORTH IMPRESSIVE
Close to 4,000 people in the Northern Division have been attending the Agriculture Show in Labasa this week.
Principal Agriculture Officer [North] John Cox said more people are expected to turn up today since it is the last day of the show.
“There has been an increasing number of people visiting the Show this week and this has been really impressive. It shows their interest in agriculture and farming and this has also been a good avenue to promote the importance of nurturing and sustaining our soils,” Mr Cox said.
Activities earlier this week included students participating in Oratory Contests based on the theme of the Show – Sustain our Soils, Nourish our Nation, Reaffirm our Future.
In addition, there were also fire drills carried out by the National Fire Authority, Dog Shows by the Fiji Police Force, land preparation and cooking demonstrations by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and stakeholders displaying their services, products and goods especially women involved in gardening and selling flowers.
For the primary school lower category, first prize was awarded to Natansha Julian Mudalir of Bethel Primary School while Maria Dru of Saint Mary’s received second place and Bulimali Tikomaimereke a class five student of Nasekula primary claimed the third prize.
“I did not expect to win the first prize because the competition was really tough but at the same time I’m really happy for this achievement,” Miss Mudalir said.
For the Upper category division first place was awarded to Sera Du, Class eight (8) of St Mary’s Primary School and said that Agriculture is topic that is passionate about.
Second place was awarded to Joshlyn Jessica Prasad, Year 8 of St. Mary’s.
“I was happy and proud to represent my school, and was not expecting to win but today’s win helped increase my self-confidence,” Miss Prasad said.
Juliana Lelea Vuiyale was awarded third place and she is a class seven (7) student of St. Augustine Public School.
Meanwhile, there will be several more Agriculture Shows held around the country this year. The West Agriculture Show will be held at Garvey Park, Tavua from 4-6 August, and the Central Division Show at Syria Park from 9-11 September while the Eastern Divisions will be held in Levuka, Kadavu and Lau later this year.
The Ra Agriculture Show will be held in Rakiraki from 30-31 July, 2015.
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