Posted by Elizabeth Edozie on Dec 02, 2019
 
A 28 years old boy, Dereck Perkins, who participated in the just concluded Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2019 has emerged winner of the star price- a plot of land in Mowe-Ofada.
 
RYLA is an annual programme of Rotary International held across the various Rotary districts in the world and targeted at grooming great leaders in the world. Rotary International, District 9110 Nigeria is no exception from this programme which has helped to build a generation of great Rotarians and leaders in the country.
 
Perkins who was announced winner of the star price at the closing ceremony of the programme, on Sunday, December 1, 2019, was adjudged overall best behaved participant and presented his Certificate of ownership by the District Governor, Dr. Jide Akeredolu, alongside the RYLA Committee Chairman, Abiodun Oshinibosi.
 
The programme which was held at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (Sea School) in Apapa area of Lagos state, brought together 519 participants who were sponsored by Rotary clubs in district 9110 comprising all Rotary Clubs in Lagos and Ogun states.
 
Influential individuals with reputable brands in various economic sectors of the country including entertainment, technology, agriculture, and fashion were presented with prizes of honour during the opening ceremony which was held on Sunday, November 24.
 
The 8 days programme featured seasoned speakers who were on ground to mentor the participants. Entertainment was also not left out as celebrity guests which include Ace Musician Daddy Showkey graced the event. Endurance trek to Tarkwa Bay, beauty pageant, and skill acquisition were also part of the activities that were organized for the participants.
 
The newly crowned Miss RYLA 2019, Maraiyesa Ayokunle, a post graduate student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun state, and Mr. RYLA 2019, Ayomide Oranaiye, a graduate of the University of Lagos were both presented with cash prizes of N15, 000 each.
 
Two of the participants presented portrait paintings to the RYLA Chairman and the District Governor.
Rotary clubs with the highest number of sponsored participants in the district were also recognized.
- Rotary Club of Lekki Golden came first with 56 participants
- Rotary Club of Gbagada came second with 53 participants
- Rotary Club of Ikoyi came third with 25 participants

Other most supporting clubs include Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Rotary Club of Maryland, and Rotary Club of Lagos Palm Grove Estate.
 
Watch sponsors, most supporting Rotarians, as well as outstanding participants in various categories who were also recognized.
 
The high point of the closing ceremony was the hand-over of the RYLA flag by the District Governor to the District Governor Elect, Bola Oyebade who then handed the flag to the RYLA 2020 Committee Chairman, Benedict Okhumale of Rotary Club of Gowon Estate.