16 year-old autistic prodigy gets Delta support as he embarks on endurance ride

…Gov’s wife announces N10m donation

Enugu-born Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, 16-year-old autistic prodigy and Guinness World Record holder for creating the world’s largest painting on canvas, has received strong backing from Delta State as he embarks on endurance ride from Enugu to Lagos.

The cycling tagged, “Ride for Autism” aims to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and advocate for better support systems for children with autism.

Riding from Enugu enroute Onitsha in Anambra State,  he and his entourage on Sunday, visited Asaba, the Delta State Capital where they were received at the Government House by Tobore Oborevwori, the governor”s wife and founder of You Matter Charity Foundation, as well as some top government functionaries.

Oborevwori announced N10 million donation to encourage and support Kanye’s art and advocacy as she expressed  joy over the champion and his team’s visit to the state on endurance cycling campaign.

She said it was mind-blowing for the
16-year-old to undertake such a challenging and inspiring task, even as she celebrated Kanye’s passion for the arts and the remarkable zeal for cycling.

“Today, we are not just celebrating a young man with special needs; we are celebrating excellence, resilience, courage, and the power of inclusion. You represent not a need for sympathy, but a capacity to give back, to inspire, and to positively impact society.

“You have carved a niche for yourself, and I want you to know that you have a place in the You Matter Charity Foundation. We are proud of you, and we stand with you”, she expressed while
commending Kanye’s parents for their unwavering support and belief in his dreams, noting that their labour of love will certainly not be in vain.

Oborevwori made the champion to know that he is a wonder to the world because he possess the ability to achieve the extraordinary. She prayed God to continue to guide him, strengthen him, and grant him greater wisdom to excel, adding that his goal of returning to the Guinness World Records for the second time shall be accomplished, by God’s grace.

Kingsley Emu, the Secretary to Delta State Government (SSG) in his welcome address, said that the state government had been receiving and supporting similar persons who champion awareness of special conditions and pledged government’s continued support in such regard.

Chucks Ndukaeze, Kanye’s patron and member of Kanyeyachukwu Autism Foundation stated that the prodigy’s story has been inspiring as he started painting at the age of three during which his parents noticed that he has enormous energy in him for art work, despite his autism condition.

Tagbo-Okeke, father of Kanye, in company of his wife, appreciated the governor’s wife and the state government for hosting them and lauded her for loving children with special needs and the vulnerable in the society.