Nagonenicolo District empowers over 60 tertiary students with scholarships for brighter futures

Despite the challenges faced over the past years, history has been created for the 12 villages in the Tikina of Nagonenicolo in Naitasiri when over 60 tertiary students who are originally from Naitasiri were accepted with an education scholarship through their program that was officially launched at the Centenary Church.

The District of Nagonenicolo held a thanksgiving church service to mark the milestone achievement that has been made and also announced the names of students who will be assisted by the Nagonenicolo initiative.

Speaking to fijivillage News on behalf of the committee, the former Permanent Secretary for Public Works Taitusi Nacolakia Vakadravuyaca says their actual target is to make sure every youth in their District gets proper education and to be a good leader in the future.

Vakadravuyaca says apart from the initiative, they are also complementing the TELS programme that is also offered by the government and they are offering proof of concept to their students who are in tertiary education.

He says they are also helping out students who would like to go overseas for further studies or for people who are going for the British Army programmes and that is also part of the programme.

He further says that they will be having a compulsory scholarship fundraising where everyone in their District from 18 years and over will contribute $20 each to their program to sustain the fund going forward.

Akosita Vulagica of Nakorosule, Nagonenicolo, Naitasiri says despite the challenges she managed to face the difficulties and to further pursue better education at the Fiji National University.

The 20-year-old who is pursuing a Trade Diploma in Information Technology says she is fortunate to be part of the selected students to be assisted by the program.

Daiana Kacikilagi of Nakorosule who is pursuing a Bachelor of Dietician Nutrition at FNU also said that she will always cherish what has been provided by their District and appreciate what the committee have in store for them.

21-year-old Mirini Sicinilawa of Nakorosule is pursuing a Bachelor's in Finance and Banking at FNU and says that through the assistance, she aims to get a job after graduating and support her parents and Tikina of the great initiative.

Seruvuama Natuvatuva a year 2 student at the FNU with a Diploma in Hospitality and Hotel Management says he is proud to be part of the program and hopes to see youths in their district prosper and excel in the future.