Nigeria’s first lady celebrates teenage GRW holder for largest painting on canvas
…Urges young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Kanye’s story
Remi Tinubu, first lady of Nigeria has celebrated the 15-year-old Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, the Guinness World Record (GWR) holder for the largest painting on canvas.
Kanyeyachukwu’s painting, which spans 12,304 square meters features a multi-coloured ribbon, representing the autism symbol surrounded by emojis.
The painting themed, ‘Impossibility is a Myth’ aimed at highlighting the spectrum disorder and the challenges that people like him face amid stigma.
According to the first lady, Kanye’s GWR achievement is proof that impossibility is a myth. “By painting the largest art canvas in the world, he has not only broken the Guinness World Record, but he has also broken barriers of perception.”
According to the first lady, who was represented by Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the minister of Women Affairs, the Eko Atlantic exhibition is a whole segment of Nigeria’s cultural vibrancy, technology innovation, and environmental consciousness.
She said that the exhibition reflects the real vision of President Tinubu, who believes deeply in the limitless potential of Nigerian youth to shape the future of the country and the world at large.
“Their innovation complements Kanyeyachukwu’s artistry, both serving as a reminder that creativity and responsibility must work hand in hand to secure a better tomorrow for all.”
The first lady also urged the participants to draw inspiration from Kanyeyachukwu’s story as they celebrate art today, cultural technology, and sustainability.
“Let us nurture our own talents and invest in the creative economy, for it is here that the true wealth and image of our nation resides,” Tinubu said.
Read also: Nigeria’s Kanyeyachukwu unveils world’s largest art canvas, enters Guinness world records
Hannatu Musa Musawa, minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy in Nigeria, said the painting titled, ‘Impossibility is a Myth,’ defies limits, and shows the expansive possibilities that lie within every Nigerian child, regardless of age, disability, or background.
According to her, the title of the work could not have been more fitting, because it portrays the message that limitations are often in the mind, not in the heart and hands.
“As Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, I see in this record not merely a personal achievement, but a national statement of who we are and who we can be,” she said.
According to Musawa, the current administration is working towards elevating arts and culture beyond vehicles of entertainment into pillars of social development, economic growth and unity.
“Indeed, Kanye’s success is a beacon for what is possible when policy, community support, family love, and personal dedication come together,” Musawa said.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, said Kanyeyachukwu has accomplished what many would deem impossible at 15.
“As a non-verbal teenager on the autism spectrum, he has found his voice through art, expressing himself in a way that is bold, beautiful and impactful,” stated Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Idris Aregbe, SA on tourism, art & culture to governor Sanwo-Olu.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the remarkable canvas serves as a powerful reminder that limitations are offen just a product of the mind. “True ability shines through courage, perseverance, and vision.”
Chuck Nduka-Eze, the grand patron to Kanyeyachukwu, said Nigeria lack trained professionals with the right understand to address the challenges of autism.
“So, one of the things we’re trying to address as a foundation is to train nurses and train medical staff to actually understand the challenge of autism, to be able to provide support, for those who have that challenge,” he said.
He also disclosed that the foundation is trying to raise fund to directly assist families who have children with autism. They can’t even go out shopping because they have to look after a child 24 hours because they don’t have anybody who understands that child.”
