Rtn. Ubanozie has announced a compassionate new youth consultant role for the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, focusing on counselling and reintegration rather than exclusion for participants
Dr Laurine Ubanozie, Assistant Governor and a dedicated Rotary leader, has unveiled an innovative addition to this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) in Nigeria.
The 2026 RYLA, chaired by Rtn. Edi Richard with Rtn. Alex Chukwu as chairman of fundraising, is scheduled to hold from 15 to 23 August 2026 at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Institute (Sea School) in Apapa, Lagos.
The new feature introduces a youth consultant who will identify participants aged 14 to 30 who may struggle to meet the programme’s rules and regulations. Instead of expelling them, the consultant will provide counselling aimed at personal development and successful reintegration.
Dr Ubanozie explained the thoughtful approach: “There is a special addition to this year’s programme, where we will have a youth consultant whose role is to identify participants who fall short of RYLA’s rules and regulations. Rather than simply sending them home, I will counsel them and work to bring out the best in them, integrating them back into the programme before it ends.”
This initiative marks a shift towards a more supportive and restorative model in youth leadership training.
It reflects a commitment to mentorship, allowing young participants the opportunity to learn from mistakes while still benefiting from the intensive leadership experience that RYLA offers.
Dr Ubanozie, who brings extensive experience as a past Rotary club of Ikoyi Metro’s president and current Club Learning Facilitator, emphasised the importance of sustaining high standards. She expressed confidence that the programme will build meaningfully on previous successes through intentional planning and execution.
The announcement has generated positive anticipation within Rotary circles, highlighting a progressive step in how youth development programmes address behavioural challenges.
By focusing on guidance rather than punishment, the new consultant role aims to maximise the potential of every participant during the August academy.
See photos from last year’s RYLA.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
