Roman Nibbs Alberto, a 17-year-old 12th grade student of Elmore Stoutt High School, spent the past week operating at the centre of government as part of the British Virgin Islands’ “Premier for a Week” initiative, attending official meetings, engaging senior public officers and participating in national events before concluding his tenure on April 10, 2026.
Over the course of the programme, Nibbs Alberto assumed the role of Premier alongside youth Cabinet Ministers Niaeika Aymer, Trishelle Phillips, Rudell Stoute and Zhane Waters, following a swearing-in ceremony officiated by His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce. The initiative, organised by the Office of the Premier, is designed to provide young people with direct exposure to governance, leadership and public service.
His schedule mirrored that of a serving government official, with structured daily engagements that included high-level meetings, document reviews and interactions with local and regional stakeholders. Nibbs Alberto also met with Premier Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and participated in discussions aligned with national development priorities.
On the final day of his tenure, Nibbs Alberto attended meetings at the Cutlass Tower, including engagements with an events team, representatives of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and United States Virgin Islands FairSali representatives. He later joined Premier Wheatley for a meeting before attending the Agriculture and Fisheries Exhibition and Market Opening Ceremony at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
The day concluded with the recording of a closing message and attendance at the VISAR Gourmet Gathering at Government House, marking the end of his week in office.
Throughout the programme, Nibbs Alberto was supported by senior public officers, including Cabinet Secretary Sandra Ward, Deputy Financial Secretaries Jeremy Vanterpool and Dr. Drexel Glasgow, Permanent Secretaries Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Joseph Smith-Abbott and Natalie Fahie-Smith, and Deputy Permanent Secretaries Dr. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley and Natasha Julius. Additional support was provided by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, including Inspector Terry Humphrey and Officer Gamliel Swift.
The initiative was overseen by a steering committee chaired by Chief Protocol Officer Kareem-Nelson Hull, with Assistant Secretary K’Mari Fahie serving as co-chair, alongside Director of International Affairs Dwynel Davis and Assistant Secretary Cherryl Fahie.
The “Premier for a Week” programme forms part of broader efforts by the Government of the Virgin Islands to engage young people in civic life and provide practical insight into the structure and function of government.
