HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE BUA CENTRAL COLLEGE PREFECTS INDUCTION

Vanua o Cakaunitabua;
The Bua Central College School Management;
The Principal, Mr. Raman Lal and Staff of Bua Central College;
Students, Parents and Guardians of Bua Central College.
 
Miau Sa Bula Re and a very good Morning to you all!  
 
It is with great pleasure and I am equally honoured to meet you all at this Bua Central College Prefects Investiture and thank you for the warm welcome and the traditional ceremonies accorded to us. 
 
This is my first official engagement in a school prefect’s investiture after ascending to the position of President of Fiji and Head of State, and it is personally special for me to be your Chief Guest because I am a former student of Bua Central College a fact that I am proud of. Bua Central College, I am equally proud to say has moulded many professionals including Doctors, Teachers, Professors, Nurses, and other well-known professionals. Despite its location and the hardships; and challenges faced at Bua Central College. 
 
Today I am proud to stand before you as the Head of State/President of Fiji being moulded and bred from this institution.  That is a challenge for you and I am particularly thankful to God and my parents for giving me the opportunity to live and learn the struggles of rural life.
 
I entered the gates of Bua Central College from the year 1978 until 1981 and spent 4 years in this premises being moulded and taught through the school system. My first choice of school was Ratu Kadavulevu School but because of some poor choices as a young adult, my late father decided that I attend a school chosen by my late adopted mother, Mrs. Bale Vaniqi.
 
I share maternal links to the Province of Bua and I now strongly believe that the choice of school was all in God’s plan for me. I was not a prefect but I am blessed that I was born a traditional leader and that is a privilege that has shaped my life until now. 
 
In this day and age, there are many factors that we can consider challenges but I strongly believe that the effects of the digital era continues to have a profound impact on all our lives. 

The digital platform was initially invented to make work and life easier for us. Two decades down the line, we realise that it has done more harm than good. It is creating more social issues and is becoming a threat to our foundation – our families and the vanua. 
 
For us to realize our strengths in terms of a successful family unit and for better outcomes – it is time to reflect and ponder on what we want to do to ensure that our families and the vanua is where one will be comfortable, feel safe, secure and has strong values. For a strong foundation in the vanua – traditional values and culture is to be taught and embedded in children. When these traditions and culture are correctly instilled, then we can expect positive changes and we can be assured of a promising future.
 
The values we want to build include respect, humility and confidence among others. As prefects, you will grow to be leaders, be adults and become parents eventually. The three values of respect, humility and confidence needs to be nurtured so that it is delivered from the heart. We need to ensure that we think, act and do everything with humility for rules, laws and obligations, respect for others, for culture and traditions and confidence in yourself and others around you. Today will also be an important and memorable occasion for students who will become prefects.  So I am sure you share the excitement of the day with me.
 
I wish to share with you my guiding bible verse from Jeremiah 29: 11 - ”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Take comfort in this verse as it is not a promise to immediately rescue us from hardships, suffering or challenges. It is a promise that God has a plan for our lives regardless of our current situation. He can work through it to make you prosper and give you hope. You are anointed to be a leader today. Listen to what God has for you. Follow where he directs you. Be strong and have faith in “you” first and foremost. 
 
Be sure to remind Him of His calling on you and always acknowledge Him in your own way.

To the parents who are part of this morning’s ceremony, I encourage you to continue playing your part in the education of your children. Our Government’s education initiatives now mean that your responsibilities have been lessened to buying your children’s uniforms, shoes, bags, stationery and children’s bus fare assistance. Even with the Government initiatives in place, you still are the first teachers, counselors and mentors of our children; they look up to you before they do everyone else, be the best examples for them. 
 
The reality of achieving anything you wish to in this life is in your hands, what do you want to become? What do you want to achieve? The choice is yours, so dream big, work hard and surround yourselves with those who support and encourage your growth and progress.
 
May the Almighty continue to bless Fiji and each of us.  
 
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank you all!