First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has gifted N25 million to a 15-year-old autistic artist Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, who set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the largest painting on a canvas by an individual.
The massive painting, which measures 12,303 square metres, was unveiled at the Eagle Square in Abuja on April 2, which is recognised annually as World Autism Awareness Day.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterised by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
The president’s wife, while receiving Kanyeyachukwu in her office on Monday, described his achievement as heroic and applauded his creativity despite living with autism.
The first lady also recommended that the cash prize be used to support his education.
“I want to thank the parents for loving him. Mental health challenges occur in many very intelligent children,” she said.
“I am aware of the many challenges of autism and I have written a book to also raise awareness for autism.
“I want to use this medium to send a message to other parents who have children with special needs to focus on their children’s skills and high points. These special needs children usually have a single interest, so parents should help them push towards their preferred skills and goals.
“Thank you for all your efforts towards taking Kanye to win the Guinness World Record. Tuesday is Children’s Day, and there couldn’t have been a better day than today to recognize Kanye.”
Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy, represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Mukhtar Muhammed, praised the first lady’s commitment to youth empowerment.
“Despite being autistic, his achievement is a beacon of hope for countless other young Nigerians aspiring to make their mark in the world of art and culture,” she said.
“Through the Renewed Hope Initiative that focuses on women and youth empowerment, the First Lady has championed several programs that bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed and no dream remains unfulfilled”.
