By Francis Onyeukwu
Miss Amanda Amaeshi, an award-winning activist and campaigner, has been named My Life My Say’s ‘Changemaker of the Year’ for 2024.
Amaeshi, a final-year LLB Law student at University College London (UCL), has consistently used her voice to influence policy and advocate for social justice.
A statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday by Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi, father of Amanda, said the award, decided by public vote, was announced at My Life My Say’s ‘Next Generation Conference’.
According to him, the event was held on Nov. 22, 2024, at the Barbican Centre in London.
The conference – an annual highlight of the youth-led, non-partisan charity’s activities – brought together hundreds of young people alongside renowned speakers, activists, and politicians to explore innovative solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges.
According to Amaeshi, a native of Amaimo community in Ikeduru area of Imo, the young writer, specialising in gender equality, anti-racism, and youth voice, emerged winner at the end of the contest,
“Amanda emerged the winner from a shortlist of inspiring changemakers, including youth leader Yahye Abdi; social enterprise founder Abdirahman Ahmed; TV personality Georgia Harrison; climate activist Clover Hogan, and artist Jordan Stephens,”he stated.
Recalling her journey of Advocacy and Activism from the cradle, he said Amanda had always shown keen interest in addressing social issues.
“In 2017, she won the Young Reporters for the Environment competition for her writing on food waste solutions in Scotland.
“Her advocacy journey gained momentum when she became a Year of Young People 2018 ambassador, advocating for youth participation in politics and young people’s rights — issues important to young people across Scotland.
“As a member of Girlguiding’s National Advocate Panel, Amanda spoke out on issues affecting girls and young women in the UK.
“She engaged audiences of CEOs, politicians, and decision-makers through speeches, blogs, and live radio interviews.
“Today, Amanda remains a Young Spokesperson for Girlguiding Scotland and serves on Scotland’s First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG), engaging in collaborative intersectional policy scrutiny.
“She is equally providing the much-needed youth voice to ensure that NACWG’s work in holding the Scottish Government to account is helpful for girls and young women,” he said.
Amaeshi, the Chief Economic Adviser to Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, further said that Amanda’s guest articles for Scottish newspaper – The National, also amplified her advocacy.
She challenged societal norms through her fresh perspective, and inspiring readers to engage in collective action against injustices.
“Amanda also works closely with organisations including the Young Women’s Movement Scotland, Intercultural Youth Scotland, and the National Youth Agency in England — showing her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive and intersectional practices across various sectors.
“Amanda was named on the Young Women’s Movement’s 30 Under 30 list in 2020, featured in the WOW Foundation’s Young Leaders Directory in 2022, and was honoured as the Glasgow Times Young Scotswoman of the Year for 2020,” he said.
At the Next Generation Conference, Amanda, while accepting the award, the statement added reflected on the broader impact of her work:.
Amanda said she was hugely grateful to not only all those who voted for her, but everyone who had supported her throughout her advocacy journey so far.
Amaeshi added that Amanda was determined to use her platform to motivate others to make a difference, encouraging everyone to contribute in their own way to creating a better world.
(NAN)
