District 9112 RYLA Closing Ceremony Highlights: Hon. Desmond Elliot, along with clubs such as RC Gbagada, RC Victoria Island East, and RC Ikoyi Metro etc., were recognized and appreciated.

During the closing ceremony of District 9112’s Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gbagada, Hon. Desmond Olushola Elliot was formally welcomed as a new member of Rotary Club of Surulere South, led by President Rotarian Muhammad-Faiq Abou. It is equally the District Governor (DG), Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin’s club. The DG invited PDG Tunji Funsho to decorate Hon. Desmond as a member of RC Surulere South.

As an accomplished actor, filmmaker, and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency 1, Hon. Desmond served as the special guest speaker. He urged the youth to resist peer pressure, stating, “Your purpose in life is solely between you and God” and encouraged them to strive for personal growth and do the right thing.

He received an appreciation award for his contributions to RYLA, presented by the DG and RYLA Chairman PAG Tayo Adelaja. Awards were also given for club support: the Rotary Club of Gbagada (Led by President Tosin Olawoyin), sponsoring 41 candidates, was recognized as the overall best, followed by the Rotary Club of Victoria Island East (Led by President Mokesioluwa Seun-Adedamola) sponsoring 31 candidates, in second place, and the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro (Led by President Alexander Chukwu) sponsoring 70 candidates in third.

The titles of Mr. and Miss RYLA were awarded to Oluwatobiloba Steven Ayeni, (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ikoyi Metro), and Ayomikun Akinlade, (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Gbagada). Awards were given for Best Behaved and Best Rylarian (Male and Female).

Rylarians were organized into watches for different activities and were also recognized. The winners were as follows: Adewole Watch for Observation, Elegbe Watch for Best Dancers, Tinubu Watch for Best Drama, and Adamu Watch for Best Set of Cooks.

In RYLA 2025, a skill acquisition program was introduced. For Data and AI skills, facilitated by Rtn. Nnaemeka Nebechi, participants were assured of three-week intensive training program on Microsoft Office applications. Additionally, participants received training in barbing, and tools were awarded to the top four performers. Beautiful items crafted by Rylarians were auctioned off.

Each award recipient earned 50,000 Naira from the Rotary Club of Gbagada which also sponsored the closing ceremony, with an additional 10,000 Naira contributed by Rotarian Ekundayo, the Sea School Coordinator.

In his address, DG Rotarian Lanre emphasized the transformative impact of the sea school, stating, “You are now enlightened, more productive, and better citizens committed to serving your communities. Congratulations on beginning this promising journey. Strive for excellence and may you always be under divine protection.”

DG Rtn. Lanre encouraged the participants to maintain their positive behaviors and cherish the friendships formed, adding, “Dare to dream big, and with God’s grace, we can realize those dreams. My heartfelt appreciation goes to PAG Tayo Adelaja, the committee and sponsors for making RYLA 2025 remarkable.”

Dr. Olubunmi Ekundayo, the Sea School Coordinator, shared, “A remarkable 396 Rylarians achieved outstanding scores at RYLA Sea School 2025. Congratulations to everyone for exceeding expectations and thank you to the entire team. Until we meet again, may we share smiles.”

RYLA Chairman PAG Tayo Adelaja expressed heartfelt gratitude during his remarks, saying, “I thank God for the best week of my life with 396 incredible youth. Special thanks to the DG, our 34 watch sponsors who contributed 250k each and more, and the AGs for their donations. Our clubs collectively raised over 20 million, which made this event possible. We appreciate the Pillar of RYLA 2025 and the partnering companies for their invaluable support.”

In his goodwill message, Rtn. Tosin Olawoyin, President of the Rotary Club of Gbagada, praised the participants, saying, “I commend your dedication to this camp. Carry this experience into the world as exemplary ambassadors for Rotary 9112. God bless the organizers.”

The closing ceremony for RYLA was anchored by the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Eko Cosmopolitan, Rotarian Temitayo Ayorinde. Present at the event were the spouse of the District Governor, Mrs. Iyabo Adedoyin, along with their daughter Aderayo; Distinguished Governor Elect (DGE) Rotarian Layi Abidoye and his spouse, Mrs. Abidoye; District Rotaract Representative (DRR) Rtr. Atitebi Abiodun; and District Interactor Representative Basit.

Also in attendance were the Immediate Past District Governor, Rotarian Femi Adenekan, and his spouse, Rotarian Tayo Adenekan, along with the District Governor’s core team, comprising the District Executive Secretary Past President Omotunde Olaleye, District Treasurer Assistant Governor Adedoyin Odutola, Chief of Staff Assistant Governor Akeem Sunmonu, and Special Assistant Desmond Otakponmwen. United presidents from various clubs were present as well, alongside the Chief of Staff for District 9111 and the Polio Chair, Rtn. Bussy Satuyi from the Rotary Club of Okota