Nicholas Kee from Jamaica was awarded as the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. The ceremony recognized five regional winners and awarded Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria as the overall Young Person of the Year for his innovative solar solutions aiding refugees. The event also featured PEACE Awards presented by the Khalili Foundation, celebrating youth-led initiatives.
Nicholas Kee of Jamaica has been named the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. This prestigious recognition was announced at an awards ceremony in London on March 12, 2025, where Kee was celebrated for his notable contributions to development initiatives.
As a regional winner, Kee, along with four other recipients, received a prize of £3,000 commending their efforts. The other awardees are Murad Ansary from Bangladesh, Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom, and Bethalyn Kelly from the Solomon Islands, representing Asia, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific, respectively.
The title of 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year went to Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria, who also received the top regional award for Africa. Anigbogu was recognized for his innovative approach to transforming waste into solar energy solutions, benefiting over 10,000 refugees in Africa, culminating in a total prize of £5,000.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, praised Anigbogu’s efforts, emphasizing his impact in providing clean energy and mentoring young individuals in sustainability skills. She remarked on his revolutionary vision for the future and the positive change he inspires within the Commonwealth’s communities.
Following the award presentation, Anigbogu expressed his gratitude for the acknowledgment alongside fellow changemakers. He highlighted the collective dedication to innovative solutions that aim to foster transformative changes for youth globally, underscoring the importance of support from the Commonwealth.
The Khalili Foundation honored five outstanding young people with PEACE Awards, recognizing the importance of youth-led initiatives in promoting dialogue and understanding. Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili lauded the awardees, asserting that their work could inspire others towards peace and unity.
Shem Ochola from the Commonwealth Foundation highlighted Anigbogu’s achievements as emblematic of youth leadership’s transformative power, showcasing the potential for positive development led by young individuals. The selection process involved narrowing down over 800 submissions to identify the 20 finalists, all of whom received recognition alongside their prize contributions.
The awards ceremony was a key feature of the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London, which took place following Commonwealth Day celebrations, marking a significant occasion for young leaders across the Commonwealth.
In conclusion, Nicholas Kee’s recognition as the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards underscores the vital contributions of youth in development work. The event showcased various exceptional young leaders, with Stanley Anigbogu receiving the overall title for his innovative solutions addressing crucial issues like energy and waste management. The awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the collective potential for transformative change within the Commonwealth.
Original Source: jamaica.loopnews.com
