The progress and prosper­ity of our nation can only be achieved through a healthy population.

Commissioner Northern Jovesa Vocea made the comment while opening the week-long Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North at Subrail Park in Labasa on Satur­day.

A float procession of 12 queens and four king contestants through the town to the park preceded the opening.

The contestants sat on a decorat­ed trailer covered with fruits (pine­apple, pawpaw, banana and mango) and grass under a tree pulled by a tractor.

Value health

Mr Vocea said it was extremely essential that our people seriously valued and practised national well­ness strategies to maintain good health, improve productivity and wellbeing and live a healthy life free from diseases.

“All the contestants participating in the festival will be advocating and creating awareness on numer­ous health issues throughout the week,” he said.

“It is important that we all take heed of their messages and im­prove our lifestyles.”

Mr Vocea said the theme for this year’s festival, “Our Health, Our Future” was very apt.

“The festival committee has been working in partnership with Gov­ernment and has wisely utilised funds to undertake very needy projects that are indeed benefitting people of the Northern Division,” he said.

“We will continue to foster the partnerships in years ahead.

“This festival is the biggest festi­val in the Northern Division and our people really look forward for this time of the year to be part of fun and glamour and enjoy variety of entertainment.”

Meanwhile, the contestants at­tended a Christian Mission Fel­lowship (CMF) church service in Labasa yesterday.

Miss Labasa Divisional Hospital Naima Shazmeen said: “I believe all god is one and it is important to forgive oneself and others so that we all can share the blessing.”

Edited by Epineri Vula

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