Ouagadougou: The Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, visited on Friday the 699 conscripts of the mandatory patriotic immersion at the Wend Puire high school site in Saaba, where he urged them to embrace the values of patriotism, civic duty, solidarity, and commitment in order to contribute to the transformation of Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Dr. Nacanabo was accompanied by the Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fatoumata Bako/Traore, the Governor of the Central Region, Abdoulaye Bassinga, the National Coordinator of the compulsory patriotic immersion, Daba Naon, and a delegation from his department. The Minister praised the commitment of the new high school graduates who are taking part in this civic training.
Addressing the conscripts, Dr. Nacanabo congratulated them on their success in the baccalaureate and for their commitment to this immersion, which he described as a unique opportunity for training in republican values. He emphasized that beyond theoretical knowledge, the conscripts would learn values of civic duty, solidarity, and patriotic commitment, which are crucial for serving their country with dignity.
The minister reiterated that the future of Burkina Faso and the African continent depends on a competent youth deeply attached to their homeland. Quoting the President of Burkina Faso, he emphasized that the country needs citizens who have minds full of knowledge and hearts full of patriotism.
He highlighted that the conscripts constitute the vanguard of the popular progressive revolution and must embody a break with old practices to actively participate in national development. He encouraged them to make the most of their training and to apply the lessons they had received in their daily lives.
Speaking to the press, the minister explained that his visit was intended to demonstrate the government's support for the 699 conscripts at the Saaba site and their supervisors. He described the compulsory patriotic immersion as a major innovation of the Popular Progressive Revolution, aimed at developing in young people a sense of common good, civic duty, discipline, and patriotic commitment.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the site's organization and the strong mobilization of local communities, particularly traditional authorities, women involved in providing meals for the conscripts, and supervisors, whose motivation he commended. He noted his confidence that this edition would be even better than last year's and expressed eagerness to observe the changes made by the participants at the session's close.
Speaking on behalf of the conscripts, Tindano Emmanuel Benaja Yempabou shared that the initial days were challenging due to the rigorous training requirements, but participants gradually adapted to military discipline. He outlined their daily routine, which includes morning sports, raising of the colors, civic and patriotic training courses, close-order drills, team-building activities, and lowering of the colors ceremonies.
Yempabou noted that the visit from the authorities was a significant source of motivation, as it indicated recognition and support for their efforts to serve their country in the future.