| On 3 October, I had the privilege of attending the 8th National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Gold Award Presentation Ceremony at the ITE College East. The NYAA was set up with a humble mission to help develop the youth of Singapore, by giving them a platform to help themselves. It has proven to be a winning formula with more than 178,000 participants today. In the process, our NYAA participants have inspired us to keep this unique programme going.
This ceremony honoured 168 Gold Award recipients who have excelled in the NYAA programme. While pursuing their academic requirements, exams, research papers or work commitments, they have persevered in fulfilling the requirements of their NYAA programme. They have also challenged their own physical capacities, developed their unique talents and skills which they may not have discovered before, and used these talents for the benefit of our community. In the process, they have all emerged as trailblazers, nation-builders and leaders in their own right – passionate, energetic, daring, innovative and resourceful.
The NYAA provides young people with equal opportunities to develop and excel regardless of their background. They are given a unique platform to maximize their potentials to the fullest. Members of the NYAA Gold Award Holders Alumni (GAHA) are not just doing well in their careers, but are also actively engaged in the community.
The NYAA Council could not have done all these things on its own. We should thank all the NYAA’s partners, sponsors, principals and heads of organisations who continue to help the NYAA be what it is today, a premier youth development programme that helps develop and groom the next generation of Singaporeans. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the President for his strong support and guidance for the NYAA programme.
The great Gandi once said, “My life is my message”. What a powerful idea. Let our own lives be our message. Let us have a cause bigger than ourselves.
To all our young award winners today, take this to heart: as you grow into adulthood and take your place in society, do not only think about creating a better career for yourself, but strive together to build a better community. My warmest congratulations to your success. I look forward to your continued contributions to the community.
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