A special ‘thank you message’ has been sent to the leadership and members of Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa by ten students that they sponsored to this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA).
The week-long academy came to a close this past Sunday at Sea School, off Liverpool Quay in Apapa, Lagos, with the president of RC Ikeja-Alausa, Rotarian Henry Akwara physically present from beginning to end, sports247.ng reports.
After the event, Rotarian Akwara took time off to personally address the 10 students and shake hands with them before leaving to board the official boat that took all top Rotarians back to shore, led by district 9112 governor, Rotarian Olufemi Adenekan.
Akwara also used the short moment he had with the students before leaving to inform them that a plan has already been set in motion by Ikeja-Alausa chapter to host all of those that they sponsored and formally present them with their RYLA certificates at an elaborate ceremony scheduled to hold sometime in September.
In response to the president’s noble gesture, the ten students echoed their deep delight and heartfelt appreciation, while also expressing optimism for a great time when the ceremony eventually comes up.
Speaking to sports247.ng about the development, the oldest among the 10 students sponsored by RC Ikeja-Alausa, Mirabel Olupitan said she and her colleagues are all grateful for the opportunity given them to attend what was officially the first RYLA organised by district 9112 of Rotary International.
Mirabel, who is a former student of Will-B Excellence Secondary School, Ikotun, Lagos, and served as a member of RYLA 2024 media committee during the week-long camp, added that they all owe RC Ikeja-Alausa a huge expression of gratitude.
“We are all grateful to them for what they have done for us,” said Mirabel, who was at the camp with her younger brother, Joe.
She added: “Words are not enough to say how grateful we are, and there is no gift we can give them to prove it, but God knows we deeply appreciate what they have done.”
They will now look forward to enjoying more fun at a grand reception to be hosted by the president and members of Ikeja-Alausa chapter at a date that would soon be communicated to them.
