Agriculture and education key priorities for Nawaka youth, says Tui Nawaka

Agriculture and education remain the top priorities for the Vanua o Nawaka as village leaders work to guide young people towards productive and sustainable livelihoods.

Tui Nawaka Ratu Joeli Bulu Naevo said strengthening the two sectors would help address broader social issues affecting youth in the community.

“When these two key sectors are sorted for our young people, everything else will fall into place,” Ratu Joeli said.

He said village youth were being encouraged to organise themselves properly within existing village structures at the yavusa and mataqali levels.

“We are trying to set our youth up fairly within the village organisational structure,” he said.

One of the immediate priorities, he said, was increasing food production.

“First and foremost, they must plant more food. There is a lot of idle land,” Ratu Joeli said.

He said youth groups needed space to organise themselves independently before village leadership stepped in to provide support.

“Work on that first, then we will support them. Support may come later in the form of materials — not only for sports,” he said.

Ratu Joeli said agriculture was being promoted not only for household consumption and traditional obligations, but also as a potential source of income, including future export opportunities.

“I want them to have a feel for this — growing food first for the family, for traditional functions, and then for income,” he said.

He said the Turaga ni Yavusa and Turaga ni Koro were also backing youth-led initiatives.

Addressing concerns about drugs in communities near the village, Ratu Joeli said leaders were closely monitoring the situation and working with police.

“We are working closely with the Police in identifying those involved. Some houses have been found with drugs, but it is not yet serious,” he said.

He warned that stronger measures, including possible age-related restrictions, would be considered if the situation worsened.

“Our young people are easily tempted. That is why we are also encouraging them to consider technical colleges for their education,” Ratu Joeli said.

“We keep telling them drugs are dangerous. Nothing good comes out of it.”

He confirmed that the official opening of the newly established Nawaka College will be carried out on Friday by Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro.