
Nigeria: Autistic teenager sets world painting record
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke (Image Credit AP)
In an effort to raise awareness of autism and the challenges faced by autistic people, a 15-year-old Nigerian boy has made global headlines after he set a
Guinness World Record
for the world's
largest art canvas
.
Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke
, who is autistic, created a work of art with a multicolored ribbon, a symbol of autism, surrounded by "emojis" on a canvas measuring 12,304 square meters, much larger than the size of a typical football field, which is 7,140 square meters.
The artwork was created in November 2024. It was unveiled and officially recognized by Guinness World Records organizers in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, during World Autism Acceptance Day in April.
"I felt fine. Happy. Just fine," Tagbo-Okeke told the Associated Press. His painting eclipsed that of the previous world record holder, Emad Salehi, who was nearly three times older at 42 when he set the record with a 9,652-square-meter canvas.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Oran: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun...
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Tagbo-Okeke was born in Canada before moving to Nigeria, and his upbringing was challenging, his family said. Many people on the spectrum face stigma and limited resources in Nigeria, but Tagbo-Okeke's family was determined to give him the best support they could.
Nigerians celebrate the record
The young artist's record-breaking attempt, accompanied by a campaign entitled "Impossibility is a myth," was celebrated among Nigerians.
Nigeria's Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, said Tagbo-Okeke's artwork was "a beacon of hope and inspiration" for people with autism.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also congratulated the teenager.
"You are Brave, Audacious, and Tenacious. Congratulations on your recognition. Your story has made history, and Nigeria is proud of you, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke," he wrote on X.
Kanyeyachukwu's initiative was also aimed at raising funds for the Zeebah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for people with autism and their families.
In Nigeria, as in many other countries, autism is often diagnosed later in life and there is no official data in the country. However, according to the WHO, approximately one in 100 children worldwide is autistic.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rashmika Mandanna gracefully handles crowd urging her to speak in Tamil: 'These Hindi media won't understand anything'
Rashmika Mandanna is busy promoting her upcoming film 'Kuberaa ' alongside Dhanush and Nagarjuna Akkineni . During a recent event in Mumbai, Rashmika was asked by some of her fans to speak in Tamil, and the actress handled the situation with grace. Watch the video here: Rashmika's graceful reply In a recently shared video by the paparazzi online, Rashmika was seen responding to a question asked by a media person in Hindi. During the session, she began speaking in Hindi, prompting some reporters and fans in the crowd to shout, 'Speak in Tamil.' She reacted with a smile and said, 'If I speak in Tamil, these Hindi media people will be like, 'What? We don't understand anything.' Wow! Looks like we have a lot of Tamil crowd here. ' When the anchor asked her to mix languages, Rashmika responded, 'Why don't we just speak in English, so that it's easier for me?' Nagarjuna & Rashmika Mandanna Spotted in Mumbai Ahead of 'Kuberaa' Song 3 Launch The actress was asked what she found most interesting about Kuberaa, and she stated, 'I wanted to work with Shekhar (Kammula) sir. I wanted to work with Dhanush sir, and Naga (Nagarjuna) sir.' Rashmika about Kuberaa She revealed that they had made the film like a cake, and the delicacy is going to thrill everyone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Zo verdiende Hans Teeuwen een fortuin buiten het podium!! Bekendeburen Meer informatie Undo For the event, Rashmika opted for a traditional look in a pastel sharara suit set, while Dhanush and Nagarjuna kept it formal. Rashmika's work front On the work front, Rashmika was last seen in Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaava', and she is now gearing up for the release of Kuberaa on June 20. She will also share screen space with Dheekshith Shetty in her upcoming Telugu film The Girlfriend.


Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Book fairs at Kanpur major metro stations drawing crowd
1 2 Kanpur: Following the inauguration of the Priority Corridor (IIT to Motijheel), book fair is going on at the Motijheel Metro station. With recent expansion of passenger services, book fairs were introduced for the first time at underground metro stations as well, receiving overwhelming appreciation from commuters. These fairs enrich the metro journey by promoting a culture of reading. Currently, with the support of various organisations, book fairs are being held at three major stations—Kanpur Central, Bada Chauraha, and Motijheel. The fairs will continue until the end of June and may be extended further based on public response. NCMC GoSmart cardholders can avail themselves of an exclusive 10% additional discount on their purchases. Passengers are seen taking time out from their commute to browse and purchase their favourite books. Immersed in the world of their beloved authors, readers often find themselves lost in the literary atmosphere. Apart from Hindi, English books are also in high demand. Keeping reader preferences in mind, the fairs offer works by renowned authors from both India and abroad. Special attention is being given to include books that cater to the interests of the youth across all three stations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Books on general knowledge and motivational themes are available, keeping students' needs in focus. Biographies of great personalities like Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi, as well as the writings of celebrated authors, philosophers, and thinkers from around the world, are also featured. For professionals interested in finance and investment, a good collection of books is available. Children can enjoy comics, the popular 'Manga' series, books on Harry Potter, and superhero-themed literature. In addition to books, motivational posters, landscape prints, and a range of fancy stationery products—popular among young readers—are also on sale.


Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govinda's wife Sunita Ahuja opens up on life as a star wife, says Govinda was away during both her deliveries: 'Aapko patthar ka dil banana padta hai'
Sunita Ahuja, wife of Bollywood icon Govinda , shared rare insights into the emotional challenges of being married to a film star. Opening up about the early years of her marriage, Sunita said, 'Ek hero ki biwi hona, aapko patthar ka dil banana padta hai. Aap dekhte ho hero humare se zyada to heroine logo ke saath rehte hain.' She pointed out that the nature of an actor's job often requires them to spend more time with co-stars than with their own family, and learning to manage that reality was essential for her emotional well-being. Govinda was away for shoots during both her deliveries Reflecting on the time when she became a mother, Sunita revealed that Govinda was mostly away on outdoor shoots when she delivered both their children — daughter Tina and son Yashvardhan. 'Jab delivery hua mera, tab Govinda zyada tar outdoor mein hi rehte the. Main to apni mother-in-law ke saath rehti thi. Chhote baby ko leke to aap travel nahi kar sakte ho,' she recalled during a recent interview with Instant Bollywood. Sunita lived with her mother-in-law for over a decade and credits her with shaping her understanding of family life. 'She always taught me good things. Govinda loved his mom dearly out of fear, and he never did anything wrong in his life,' she said with pride. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Simple. Clean. Solitaire Play Solitaire Download Undo 'Trust is crucial, or your life will be ruined' Sunita emphasized that trust is the bedrock of a lasting relationship, especially in the world of glitz and glamour. 'Agar aap sochte ho nahi ye jaake ye kar raha hai, vo kar raha hai, toh aapka zindagi khatam ho jayega,' she said. She stressed the importance of not succumbing to insecurities if a marriage is to last. 'Fir aap 30-40 saal kaha nibhaoge?' she asked rhetorically, highlighting the need to focus on the bigger picture and shared journey instead of doubts. What Really Happened With Govinda? Doctor Gives Minute-To-Minute Account A bond that has stood the test of time Govinda and Sunita Ahuja tied the knot in 1987 and have weathered the ups and downs of the entertainment industry together for nearly four decades. Despite the challenges, their bond has remained strong, built on trust, respect, and the ability to stay grounded amidst stardom. Their children, Tina and Yashvardhan, have also occasionally made headlines — Tina made her acting debut with Second Hand Husband in 2015, while Yashvardhan is reportedly gearing up to enter the film industry soon.