Jamaican Nicholas Kee is the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards. He received this honor along with several others at a ceremony in London, where the overall award went to Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria. The awards recognize young leaders for their contributions to development work.
Nicholas Kee from Jamaica has been honored as the Caribbean regional winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. This esteemed recognition was announced during a ceremony in London on March 12, 2025, where he was awarded £3,000 for his significant contributions to development work.
Kee was selected as one of five regional winners acknowledged at the event. Other recipients included Murad Ansary from Bangladesh, Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom, and Bethalyn Kelly from the Solomon Islands, representing their respective regions of Asia, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.
The overall title of the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year was granted to Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria, who received the Africa regional title as well. Anigbogu, the founder and CEO of LightEd, was recognized for his innovative approach to converting waste into solar energy solutions, which benefit over 10,000 refugees across Africa. His achievement earned him a total prize of £5,000.
In her congratulatory address, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland commended Anigbogu’s impactful work, stating, “Not only are you bringing hope and light to vulnerable communities and refugees who face many hardships and disadvantages but you are also ridding communities of harmful waste and pollution, leaving environments safer and cleaner for other young people.”
Anigbogu expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award, sharing: “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 and its remarkable network of partners.”
Additionally, the Khalili Foundation awarded five exceptional young individuals with PEACE Awards. The Executive Director, Waqas Ahmed, acknowledged winners from Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka for their outstanding efforts.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, emphasized the importance of youth-led initiatives: “Youth-led initiatives rooted in understanding and dialogue are key to building a more harmonious Commonwealth.”
Shem Ochola, Deputy Director General at the Commonwealth Foundation, highlighted the importance of youth leadership demonstrated by Anigbogu and others, noting the potential of youth-focused, asset-based development.
Out of over 800 submissions, 20 finalists were chosen by a commonwealth adjudication panel, with each finalist receiving a trophy, a certificate, and financial support of £1,000. The awards ceremony was a key event during the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit in London, following Commonwealth Day celebrations.
Nicholas Kee’s recognition as the Caribbean regional winner of the Commonwealth Youth Awards underscores the impactful contributions made by young leaders in development work. The event also celebrated Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu as the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and acknowledged various youth-focused initiatives that encourage innovation and social progress across the Commonwealth. The awards reflect a commitment to empowering youth as vital agents of change.
Original Source: jamaica.loopnews.com
