Nicholas Kee has been named Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, receiving recognition alongside four other regional winners. Stanley Anigbogu from Nigeria was awarded the overall title of Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for his innovative solar energy project benefiting refugees. The event was part of a two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London.
Nicholas Kee from Jamaica has been honored as the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. This accolade was announced at an award ceremony in London on March 12, 2025. Alongside Kee, four other regional winners were recognized, each receiving a prize of £3,000 for their significant contributions to development work.
The other recipients included Murad Ansary from Bangladesh representing Asia, Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom for Europe and Canada, and Bethalyn Kelly from Solomon Islands representing the Pacific. The overall 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year award was conferred upon Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria, the winner of the Africa regional category.
Anigbogu, founder of LightEd, was celebrated for his innovative project that converts waste into solar technologies, providing clean energy to over 10,000 refugees in Africa. His achievements garnered him a total award of £5,000. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland praised his efforts, highlighting his contributions to bettering communities.
Scotland remarked, “Not only are you bringing hope and light to vulnerable communities and refugees who face many hardships and disadvantages… You are a true revolutionary – a visionary – and I am pleased to award you the title of Commonwealth Young Person of the Year.”
In his acceptance speech, Anigbogu expressed his gratitude, stating, “It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition alongside an inspiring group of 20 young changemakers… I cannot wait to continue this journey with the support of the Commonwealth.”
The Khalili Foundation also awarded five exceptional young leaders with PEACE Awards, recognizing their dedication to fostering dialogue and understanding. Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili highlighted the importance of youth-led initiatives in building a harmonious Commonwealth.
Shem Ochola from the Commonwealth Foundation underlined the transformative potential of youth leadership, celebrating the work accomplished during the initiative. The awards ceremony, following the Commonwealth Day celebrations, marked a significant moment in the two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit held in London.
In summary, the Commonwealth Youth Awards recognized outstanding contributions of young leaders to development initiatives, with Nicholas Kee of Jamaica among the honorees for the Caribbean region. The prestigious ceremony celebrated creativity and innovation within the Commonwealth, highlighting impactful work that promotes change and sustainable development. Overall, the events underscored the importance of supporting youth leadership in addressing global challenges.
Original Source: jamaica.loopnews.com
