The event hosted by the District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110 comprising Lagos and Ogun States, Rotarian Remi Bello, had in attendance the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, the Guest Speaker, former Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Saidat Oladunjoye, representative of the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, past district governors, Chairman, Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Johnson Sunday Babatunde, among others.
Bello asked the youth to unlock their potentials, take advantage of the leadership as well as the vocational training put in place for them during the one week camping and fix themselves up among the various opportunities that are available in this digital age.
He also charged them to select their role models among the various speakers on ground, adding that RYLA that began 36 years ago had impacted over 15,000 young people that have participated.
“RYLA is a Rotary International Leadership and Citizenship Development programme that is coordinated and organised by Rotary Clubs and Districts around the world for young men and women within the ages of 14-30 drawn from various communities to become distinguished leaders in the society.
“Since 1985, Rotary International District 9110 have organised this “life changing” programme annually for young people in secondary schools, higher institutions as well as community youths and young professionals through a 9-day all residential camp with workshop, seminar, vocational and physical trainings.
“It is organised in conjunction with the management of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (C & LTC), Apapa, Lagos, a Federal Government Citizenship and para-military training parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development,” he said.
Adefisayo, who said she was excited about the technical skills the participants would be exposed to, told the youth that vocational skill will make them to be highly intelligent, creative and innovative, among others.
The commissioner, who told the youth to prepare to learn a lot about 21st century skills, warned them that no one can be successful in the world today without knowing about team building or collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving, innovation and creativity, accurate proper digital literacy and empathy, among others.
She also disclosed that Lagos State government would be coming up with comprehensive syllabus that would offer the option of technical and general education for senior secondary students with focus on agriculture, ICT, construction, fashion and designing and drama, among others.
“We are very proud of Lagos State government attainment of 79.4 per cent success in WAEC in public schools, doubling that of the previous year.
“We can say we know where we are going in Lagos State and we are on the way,” she said.
Oladunjoye asked the youth to be ambitious and take advantage of the trainings before them.
Commissioner for Youth and Social Development through his representative, commended Rotary District 9110 for its interest in the youth and for supporting the government.
Chair, RYLA 2021, Dare Adeyeri, in his welcome address, charged the youth to prepare themselves through the trainings with a viewing to stepping into leadership positions.
“We are in dire need of the youth to help in tackling not only the difficulties of today, but also help in shaping our collective tomorrow,” he said.
Babatunde asked the youth to make use of the opportunity before them to be useful to themselves and their country.
