The Watch won the drama contest, produced two second-place finishers and secured internship opportunities for five members as Rotary District 9112 concluded RYLA 2026 in Lagos.
President-Elect Victor Ojelabi’s Watch recorded an impressive run of awards, individual recognitions and five internship selections as Rotary International District 9112 Governor Rtn. Layi Abidoye and RYLA Chairman Dr Richard Edi brought the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy to a close at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Sea School, Apapa, Lagos, on Sunday, 23 August 2026.
The eight-day academy, themed “Today’s Innovators, Tomorrow’s Leaders”, brought together young people aged 14 to 25 for an intensive programme built around leadership, character development, entrepreneurship, innovation, community service and practical life skills. Pre-event reports said about 500 participants were expected, while the closing programme recorded 466 Rylarians.
For members of PE Victor Ojelabi’s Watch, the closing ceremony also became an opportunity to measure what the young participants had achieved together and individually during their days at Sea School.
The Watch emerged first in the Drama Presentation competition, one of its biggest collective achievements at the academy.
Igboanugo Assumpta added another recognition by finishing second in the Miss RYLA contest.
Hassan Omotolani also secured second position in the Treasure Hunt competition, earning a ₦100,000 cash prize courtesy of RYLA Chairman Dr Richard Edi.
Beyond the competitive awards, six members of the Watch were selected for internship opportunities with G Kontractors, an initiative also sponsored by Edi.
The selected participants are Hassan, Akinluyi Atinuke, Omozokpea Blessing Efe, Azeezat Oluwapelumi Ibikunle, Chijioke Benjamin and Olagbaiye Oluwanifemi.
The internship selections potentially represent one of the more enduring outcomes of the Victor Ojelabi’s Watch RYLA wins, extending the experience beyond certificates and prizes into practical workplace exposure.
For the five young participants, the placements are expected to provide opportunities to gain professional experience, develop workplace skills and build networks that could prove valuable as they make educational and career decisions.
The emphasis on opportunities beyond the camp reflects a wider objective outlined by District 9112 leaders before the academy opened.
Abidoye had said Rotary wanted the young participants to build relationships capable of lasting well beyond RYLA.
“We want the children to bond to have a network that will last them for their lifetime,” Abidoye said ahead of the programme, explaining that Rotary’s investment was intended to help “build the leaders of tomorrow”.
Edi similarly described the academy as an investment in preparing young people for future responsibilities.
“We are preparing the children for tomorrow’s future,” Edi said before the camp, with entrepreneurship among the areas identified for participants and counselling introduced as part of the programme.
The results recorded by Ojelabi’s Watch were not limited to formal competitions and internships.
Akinluyi Atinuke received ₦25,000 from veteran comedian Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, during the opening ceremony, according to the Watch’s post-RYLA report.
John Chidera Favour also received ₦20,000 from a Rotarian, adding another personal recognition to the Watch’s list of achievements.
Ali Baba had been announced alongside leadership expert Fela Durotoye and singer Timi Dakolo among personalities expected to engage participants during the academy.
The individual awards complemented the first-place drama result, giving the Watch achievements across creativity, confidence, problem-solving and professional development rather than in a single area.
The 2026 academy itself represented a continuation of District 9112’s investment in youth development at the Sea School in Apapa.
In 2025, the district held RYLA at the same venue from 3 to 10 August. District records put participation at about 392 young people, while another official account of the closing ceremony reported 396 Rylarians.
That edition combined leadership and citizenship development with vocational training. Participants received exposure to Data and Artificial Intelligence skills, Microsoft Office applications and practical trades, while outstanding performers received tools and monetary prizes.
The 2025 programme also attempted to connect Rylarians with the wider Rotary family through activities involving Rotaractors, an approach intended to encourage participants to continue their leadership and service journeys through Rotary youth programmes after leaving camp.
District 9112 expanded that philosophy in 2026.
Ahead of this year’s academy, Abidoye said participants would continue to have access to youth development opportunities through Interact, Rotaract and the RYLA alumni network, indicating that the district did not intend the eight-day residential programme to become an isolated leadership experience.
Edi also said participants would be monitored and encouraged to put what they had learnt into practice in their communities.
That commitment gives greater significance to initiatives such as the five internships secured by members of Ojelabi’s Watch. The real test of RYLA’s impact will ultimately be determined not only by who won during the academy, but by what participants are able to build from the opportunities, relationships and lessons acquired afterwards.
The closing ceremony on 23 August brought the 2026 programme to a celebratory conclusion, with awards to outstanding participants and Watch houses, recognition of Rotarians and committee members, and monetary support for some Rylarians.
Abidoye’s presence included a ceremonial welcome, camp inspection and interaction with participants and organisers before the final proceedings.
For Ojelabi’s Watch, the final tally was significant: first position in drama, second position in Miss RYLA, second position and ₦100,000 in the Treasure Hunt, five internship selections and two additional individual cash recognitions worth a combined ₦45,000.
The bigger challenge begins after those celebrations.
The awards provide recognition for what the young participants accomplished at Sea School, but the internships and Rotary’s stated commitment to continued mentorship offer something potentially more powerful: a bridge between an eight-day leadership academy and the longer journey of education, career development, service and responsible leadership.
For the 466 young people who completed RYLA 2026, the closing ceremony therefore marked less an ending than the point at which the academy’s promise will begin to be tested outside the camp.
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