Nicholas Kee of Jamaica was named the Caribbean Champion at the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards, receiving a £3,000 prize. Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu of Nigeria won the overall Commonwealth Young Person of the Year title for his solar energy initiative. The Khalili Foundation also recognized five young leaders with PEACE Awards, emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in fostering harmony and dialogue.
Nicholas Kee from Jamaica has been recognized as the Caribbean Champion in the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. This announcement was made during an award ceremony in London on March 12, 2025, where Kee was one of five regional winners, each receiving a £3,000 reward for their outstanding contributions to development.
The other regional winners included Murad Ansary from Bangladesh for Asia, Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom for Europe and Canada, and Bethalyn Kelly from the Solomon Islands for the Pacific region. The overall title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year was awarded to Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria, who also secured the top regional prize for Africa.
Anigbogu, the founder and CEO of LightEd, was applauded for developing solar solutions that provide sustainable energy access to over 10,000 African migrants, earning him a total prize of £5,000 for his achievements. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland commended his efforts to bring hope to vulnerable communities and reduce pollution, underscoring the creative potential of the Commonwealth’s youth.
Upon receiving his award, Anigbogu expressed gratitude for being recognized alongside other changemakers dedicated to impactful solutions. He emphasized his commitment to continuing this journey with the support of the Commonwealth’s extensive network.
Additionally, the Khalili Foundation awarded the PEACE Awards to five exceptional young individuals from Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Waqas Ahmed, Executive Director of the Khalili Foundation, highlighted the importance of youth-led initiatives in fostering dialogue and understanding.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili also praised the awardees, noting their potential to inspire collective efforts toward peace and unity across the Commonwealth. Shem Ochola, Deputy Director General of the Commonwealth Foundation, congratulated Anigbogu and emphasized the transformative power of youth leadership demonstrated by all participants.
The awards ceremony concluded a two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London and was a part of the Commonwealth Day celebrations, drawing from over 800 submissions to select the 20 finalists, each of whom received a trophy, a certificate, and £1,000 to advance their projects.
The recognition of Nicholas Kee and Stanley Anigbogu at the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards underscores the vital contributions of young leaders in development work. The awards celebrate innovative solutions aimed at sustainable development and highlight the role of youth in creating transformative change. The initiatives recognized serve as inspiration for future generations, showcasing the immense potential of youth-driven projects within the Commonwealth.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
