Nicholas Kee of Jamaica has been named Caribbean Champion in the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards. Other regional winners from Asia, UK, and the Pacific were also recognized. Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu won overall Young Person of the Year for solar solutions aiding migrants. The ceremony, part of Commonwealth Youth Leadership Summit, acknowledged 20 finalists from over 800 submissions.
Nicholas Kee from Jamaica has been named the Caribbean regional Champion in the 2025 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work, announced on March 12, 2025, in London. Kee was one of five regional honorees who received £3,000 each for their remarkable contributions to development work.
The other regional winners included Murad Ansary from Bangladesh representing Asia, Zubair Junjunia from the United Kingdom for Europe and Canada, and Bethalyn Kelly from the Solomon Islands for the Pacific region. Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu from Nigeria was awarded the overall 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year and the African regional prize.
Anigbogu, the creator and CEO of LightEd, was recognized for his innovative approach to utilizing waste to produce solar energy solutions, aiding over 10,000 African migrants in accessing sustainable energy. He earned a total prize of £5,000 for his accomplishments.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland commended Anigbogu’s work, emphasizing his contribution to hope and safety in vulnerable communities. She remarked on the significant impact of his training programs for youth in the sustainable energy sector.
Upon receiving his award, Anigbogu expressed gratitude for being honored alongside fellow young changemakers and highlighted the importance of innovative solutions for global youth challenges.
The Khalili Foundation also awarded PEACE Awards to five young individuals from Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with Executive Director Waqas Ahmed praising their contributions.
Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili lauded the awardees, asserting that youth-led initiatives enhance harmony within the Commonwealth. Shem Ochola, Deputy Director General at the Commonwealth Foundation, acknowledged Anigbogu’s innovation and emphasized the potential of youth leadership for transformative development.
The winners were selected from over 800 submissions by a pan-Commonwealth adjudication panel, with each finalist awarded a trophy, certificate, and £1,000. The awards ceremony coincided with Commonwealth Day events and highlighted youth leadership during a two-week summit in London.
The awards ceremony recognized exemplary contributions from young leaders across the Commonwealth, with Nicholas Kee from Jamaica being honored as the Caribbean Champion. Stanley Chidubem Anigbogu’s achievements in sustainable energy highlight the innovative spirit of youth. The Khalili Foundation PEACE Awards emphasize the vital role of youth in fostering harmony and development. This event underscores the significant potential of youth-led initiatives for transformative social change.
Original Source: nycaribnews.com
