A major benefit that all participants at the first Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) being run by district 9112 of Rotary Club International is an opportunity for the participants to learn how to work selflessly.
Sports247.ng reports that the academy opened last Saturday at Sea School, which is located on an island off Liverpool Quay, Apapa, Lagos, and will close this Sunday.
Ahead of its closure, the week-long camp has been described as a point of convergence through which various benefits will be gained by all the participants, now known as RYLArians.
This assertion was provided by Sea School coordinator, Dr Olubunmi Ekundayo, who disclosed that all 294 participants, who arrived from several different communities across Lagos, as well as Sagamu, Ijebu Ode and Arepo in Ogun State, will have amazing stories they can take back to their various homes.
Ekundayo, who is also a Rotarian, declared in his welcome address to the attendees: “This is an opportunity to learn the art of selfless service and take direct responsibility for the development of your community.
“For we as Rotarians, our impact cannot end without us giving you the opportunity of knowing your right from your left.”
Rotarian Ekundayo then spoke about the tasks and strategies that would be utilised by all RYLA Camp officials until all the participants leave at 3pm this Sunday.
“Also, it is our mandate to inculcate into them the ability of knowing what is good for their immediate selves and their environment,” he expatiated.
“They need to imbibe the art of selfless service, community development, and, above all, leadership etiquette. This we promise to teach these RYLArians.
“We will teach them with both man-made and artificial challenges, which we call obstacle crossing, and other adventure programmes.
“They will also engage in team building and a number of out of door activities. These are all lined up to make it worthy of their presence and training at Sea School.”
He concluded by hailing all the teenagers, youths and adolescents for turning up for the programme, which is the first to be organised by RC District 9112 after its recent inception.
Ekundayo eulogised, “I also want to use this opportunity to thank the participants for making themselves trainable. They will be honed and well-tutored about the manner in which things are done at Sea School.
“We believe that they will be able to cope with the demands of this academy. But whatever may come as a mystery to them should be forwarded to any of the officials.
“To our parents, our brothers and friends of Rotary, we promise you that, when next you meet with these young RYLArians, you will be amazed at what they have achieved over here.”
The coordinator added that he was happy seeing how all the participants settled down quickly on arrival and adapted almost immediately to life on the island.
He also expressed hope that they will all excel in lectures, physical drills, sports, social activities, cultural displays and various forms of bonding while in the camp.
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