Three Nigerians Receive Queen Elizabeth’s Young Leaders Award

On Tuesday night, Queen Elizabeth presented the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London, to three Nigerians: Hauwa Ojeifo, Isaac Ezirim and Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph. They received the awards in honour of the work they are doing to transform lives in their respective communities.

Meghan Markel and Prince Harry (The Duke and Duchess of Sussex), David Beckham and others were present at the ceremony.

Hauwa Ojeifo, one of the three winners, runs a women’s support group called She Writes Woman. The group focuses on mental health support and outreach among some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

Isaac Ezirim, also one of the winners, is the founder of Teens Can Code. His initiative concentrates on teaching teenagers computer coding and how to build web and mobile applications using the same tools used by professionals in the tech industry.

19-year-old Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph is the youngest of the winners. He is the founder of the Calabar Youth Council for Women’s Rights (CYCWR). This initiative works to promote women’s rights in Nigeria and supports the rights of women in the areas of female genital mutilation (FGM), domestic abuse, forced child marriage and access to education for girls.

The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their awards from Her Majesty the Queen.