The 37 prefects of Waiqele Secondary School in Labasa were yesterday reminded that the essence of leadership was trust.

The prefects were inducted yesterday by chief guest Staff Sergeant Samuela Cikaitoga of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Sukanaivalu Barracks.

“The badges that you are wearing is not for decoration. They are bestowed on you for responsibility,” Staff Sergeant Cikaitoga said.

“Leaders should be open-minded, fair, trustworthy and consistent. People who speak the truth will be effective leaders in society.

“You don’t have to defend the truth because truth stands on its own. All relationships are based on trust and where there is no trust, visions and plans will not be fulfilled, deadlines will be missed, standards will not be reached and finally everything will fall apart.”

Headboy, headgirl make farmer parents happy

Meanwhile, Apenisa Ratuvuki, 18, originally of Dogotuki, Macuata, was happy to be inducted as the headboy.

“It had been my parents’ dream to see me one day become the headboy of the school,” Apenisa said.

“I am very happy that finally my parents’ dream came true.”

His father is a sugarcane labourer while mum stays home.

Priya Lal, the headgirl, said: “My father, who is just a simple sugarcane farmer and my mother doing domestic duties have not felt so happy in many years until yesterday,” Mr Lal said.