President-Elect Victor Ojelabi of RYLA Nexters and technology entrepreneur Ben Adenle, chief executive of TechJamLabs Limited, led the organisation’s October Hangout at Iretura Media Hub in Meiran, Lagos, on Saturday, 10 October 2026, bringing together 11 Nexters and six executives for a session on personal development, adaptability and relevance in an ever-changing world.
The gathering, themed “The YOU Effect: Relevance in an Ever-Changing World,” focused on helping young people recognise their individual strengths, take responsibility for personal growth and create value for others in an increasingly competitive environment.
Also read: China condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
The event combined leadership discussions, interactive activities, networking and the celebration of October-born members, creating an opportunity for participants to learn, connect and strengthen relationships within the group.
Ojelabi opened the meeting by welcoming members and introducing the day’s activities. A gift was also presented to him in recognition of his hard work and service to Rotary, while Oluwanifemi led the opening prayer.
In introducing the guest speaker, Ojelabi emphasised the importance of continuous learning and encouraged members to remain open to new ideas and opportunities for growth.
Adenle began his presentation with an icebreaker game called “Charming Names”, which encouraged interaction among participants before the main discussion.
Drawing attention to individuality, he explained that people possessed distinct qualities but that uniqueness alone did not guarantee relevance.
He challenged participants to think beyond their natural abilities and consider how they could develop those qualities into meaningful contributions.
“Relevance is not a trophy that you win once, it’s a practice that you must keep,” Adenle said, according to the meeting minutes.
The message placed consistency, adaptability and purposeful action at the heart of the session, encouraging members to see personal development as an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-off achievement.
Adenle also broke down the word “YOU” into three principles: “Your Signature”, “Own the Change” and “Be Useful to Someone”.
The first encouraged participants to identify their distinctive strengths and understand what they could contribute.
The second emphasised taking ownership of personal change instead of waiting for circumstances to force it.
The third highlighted the importance of using individual skills and opportunities to make a positive difference in other people’s lives.
Beyond the central theme, the speaker explored the power of imagination, root cause analysis through the Five Whys technique, owning one’s stage and developing a prophetic autobiography.
These topics broadened the conversation to include problem-solving, self-awareness and the ability to shape one’s personal story.
Adenle leads TechJamLabs Limited, a Lagos-based technology company that develops digital solutions for individuals, businesses and organisations.
The company’s publicly available profile highlights its work in software development, technology integration and process automation, providing context for Adenle’s contribution to discussions about adaptability and changing opportunities.
Following the presentation, Ojelabi delivered a vote of thanks on behalf of the Nexters, appreciating Adenle for sharing his knowledge and insights with the group.
The programme continued with a general photoshoot and headshot session, while members born in October were celebrated.
The moment added a personal touch to the gathering, balancing the formal learning session with fellowship and recognition.
Members also discussed a proposed end-of-tenure project, which was to be named after the serving president, Shoboyede Barakah.
The discussion formed part of the group’s consideration of a project that would represent the current leadership’s tenure.
The engagement continued on Sunday, 11 October, when a physical clinic was held following the main hangout. Details of the clinic’s specific activities were not included in the meeting minutes.
The October Hangout was adjourned to the first Saturday in November, and the meeting closed at 1.30 p.m.
For RYLA Nexters, the gathering reinforced a message that extends beyond personal visibility: remaining relevant requires continuous learning, a willingness to adapt and a commitment to serving others.
Also read: China condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
The emphasis on practical self-development also offered members a framework for considering how their individual strengths could translate into lasting value within their communities.
