Gourma: The National Institute for the Training of Education Personnel in Fada N’Gourma was alive with the sounds of drums and anthems as 2,113 young individuals celebrated the culmination of the first class of compulsory patriotic immersion. Dressed in white shirts, the participants received their certificates, marking the end of a 30-day program designed to instill a sense of national pride and responsibility.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event took place under stormy skies and was attended by parents, teachers, students, and local authorities. The governor of the Goulmou region, Ram Joseph Kafando, presided over the ceremony, emphasizing the initiative’s goal to “refocus Burkinabe youth” by promoting discipline, integrity, and a patriotic spirit, as envisioned by President Ibrahim Traore.

The military coordinator for the patriotic immersion, Captain Idrissa Jaki Tapsoba, commended the young participants for their dedication, highlighting their spirit of initiative and solidarity. Charife Kima, the general delegate of the promotion, delivered a message of unity and determination, urging hesitant individuals to join the program and emphasizing the importance of an engaged youth for the stability of Burkina Faso.

The ceremony was marked by emotional speeches and gratitude, with standing ovations for the civilian and military supervisors who guided the participants. The mothers who provided meals throughout the program were also acknowledged for their support.

As a symbol of their commitment, the young people raised the national flag and chanted, “Fatherland or Death, we will win!” The ceremony concluded with a parade and the presentation of diplomas, encapsulating the spirit of a youth ready to uphold the values of their nation.