Godwin Kevin, a 19-year-old from Calabar, has been honoured with this year’s Diana Award established in memory of the late Princess of Wales. The award was given by a charity organization which has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex.
Godwin is on a mission to revitalize youths in Africa by investing in youth entrepreneurship and innovation as a means of securing the future of Africa.
In 2018, Godwin began leading entrepreneurship seminars and workshops in schools throughout his city of Calabar, Nigeria. He was disappointed to learn how few students had a basic awareness of entrepreneurship. He was determined to help teenagers access information and provide opportunities for Nigeria’s 211 million young people.
Godwin leads a team of volunteers, and mentors from over 20 countries on four continents. His work at “Inspire For Greatness” has so far impacted over 2,000 young Africans from 10 countries through mentorship, interactive seminars, workshops, and opportunities to develop their talents. He has ambitions to more than double this to reach 5,000 young people by 2025.
Godwin believes there is a role for every young person and that with proper coaching, opportunities, and engagement, young people can influence change in their communities.
Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, wrote in an email message: “We congratulate all our new Diana Award recipients from the UK and all over the globe who are changemakers for their generation. We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens. For over 25 years the Diana Award has valued and invested in young people encouraging them to continue to make positive change in their communities and lives of others.”
Award recipients have been put forward by adults who know the young people in a professional capacity and recognised their efforts as a positive contribution to society. Through a rigorous nomination process, these nominators had to demonstrate the nominee’s impact in five key areas — vision, social impact, inspiring others, youth leadership and service journey.
The charity fosters develops and inspires positive change in the lives of young people through four key programmes which include; a mentoring programme for young people at risk, a youth-led anti-bullying ambassadors’ campaign, a collaborative Changemakers programme that aims to reimagine mental health support for young people from racialised communities and a prestigious award which publicly recognises young changemakers.
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