Nicholas Kee from Jamaica has been named the Caribbean regional Champion at the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards, an event held in London on March 12, 2025. Alongside four other regional winners, Kee received a £3,000 prize for his contributions to development. Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria was also recognized as Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, earning a total of £5,000 for his innovative work in sustainable energy. The event showcased the impact of youth leadership across the Commonwealth.
The 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work recognized Nicholas Kee of Jamaica as the Caribbean regional Champion during an award event held in London on March 12, 2025. Nominated alongside four other regional winners, Kee was awarded a monetary prize of £3,000 for his outstanding contributions to development initiatives.
The other regional winners included Murad Ansary from Bangladesh (Asia), Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom (Europe and Canada), and Bethalyn Kelly from Solomon Islands (Pacific). Additionally, Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu of Nigeria was declared the overall 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and also received the top regional award for Africa, amassing a total prize of £5,000.
Anigbogu, the founder and CEO of LightEd, earned accolades for innovatively transforming waste into solar solutions that provide sustainable energy to over 10,000 African migrants. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland commended him, stating, “You are bringing hope and light to vulnerable communities… This is a testament to the creativity of the Commonwealth’s youth.”
In his acceptance speech, Anigbogu expressed gratitude, saying, “It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition alongside an inspiring group of young changemakers… I cannot wait to continue this journey with the support of the Commonwealth.”
The Khalili Foundation also honored five exceptional young professionals with PEACE Awards. Executive Director Waqas Ahmed congratulated winners from Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, recognized the importance of youth-led initiatives for fostering peace.
Shem Ochola, Deputy Director General at the Commonwealth Foundation, emphasized the significance of Anigbogu’s achievements, stating that his work illustrates the transformative power of youth leadership. The awards ceremony, reflecting the culmination of a two-week Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit, featured twenty finalists selected from over 800 submissions, each receiving recognition and support for their work.
In summary, Nicholas Kee’s recognition as the Caribbean regional Champion at the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards highlights the exemplary efforts of youth in driving positive change. The event also celebrated other regional winners and recognized Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year for his innovative impact. The Khalili Foundation’s PEACE Awards further underscore the significance of youth-led initiatives in promoting peace and unity within communities. These accolades not only celebrate individual accomplishments but also inspire collective action towards a more harmonious future.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
