During an address at the conclusion of the 14th Indangamirwa Civic Education Programme, Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente called on Rwandan youth to reject drugs and commit to their roles in nation-building.
Speaking on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the National Ubutore Development Centre in Nkumba, Burera District, Ngirente conveyed a message from President Paul Kagame, thanking parents for supporting their children’s participation in the program, which saw 494 young Rwandans complete military and civic training.
“If you hadn’t supported them, they wouldn’t be here,” Ngirente emphasized, urging more parents to enroll their children in the transformative civic education initiative.
The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored the importance of discipline and hard work, emphasizing that the knowledge and skills gained from Itorero should complement formal education and family upbringing.
“The first responsibility, which is even simple, is maintaining discipline and abstaining from drugs,” Ngirente declared, stressing that staying drug-free was crucial for the youth to meet the expectations of their families and their nation. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering a healthy, productive youth, advocating for sports engagement and warning against the dangers of alcohol abuse.
The event, marked by parades, cultural performances, and the trainees’ pledges, also highlighted the program’s broader impact.
Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana, noted the program’s evolution, with infrastructural upgrades at the training center and the expansion of opportunities for local residents.
Bizimana also revealed that nearly all trainees were first-time voters, reinforcing the program’s role in fostering a generation of informed and active citizens.
The Indangamirwa Programme, initiated by President Kagame in 2008, has now trained over 5,000 youth, shaping them into guardians of Rwanda’s values and future.
