World Autism Day: Abiodun Backs Autism Awareness Campaign With N20m Donation

In commemoration of World Autism Day, Prince Dapo Abiodun has donated ₦20 million to the “Cycling for Autism with KanyeChukwu” initiative to support Nationwide awareness campaigns on autism.

The Governor made the donation on Tuesday March 31, while receiving the campaign team at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He stressed that autism should not be seen as a disease, but as a special condition that requires patience, understanding and proper care.

According to him, children living with autism often possess unique talents that can only be discovered when parents and caregivers invest time and attention in them.

Abiodun praised Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, a 16-year-old Nigerian painter and autism awareness advocate who lives with non-verbal autism. The teenager gained International recognition after setting a record with the largest art canvas ever created in Abuja in 2025.

The Governor said the young artist has become an inspiration to many because he has refused to allow his condition to define him.

“He has distinguished himself in the world of art at a very young age. He set up a Guinness World Record by painting a 12,380-square-metre canvas in Abuja. He also won the Austrian Flame of Peace Award at the age of eight and has held exhibitions across Europe, Africa and North America,” Abiodun said.

He also commended the boy’s parents for choosing to nurture his gifts rather than see autism as a limitation.

According to the Governor, the efforts of the family prove that autism should not be viewed as a handicap, but as an opportunity to uncover extraordinary potential.

Abiodun urged other parents with autistic children to identify and develop their children’s strengths instead of giving up on them.

“Kanye exemplifies someone who has defied limitations. We now see him not just as a child with autism, but as a celebrated artist and a Guinness World Record holder with over 400 paintings,” he added.

Earlier, the teenager’s father, Tagbo Okeke, explained that autism is not a disease but a condition that can be expensive to manage.

He noted that Nigeria currently lacks enough trained caregivers and said the Cycling for Autism with KanyeChukwu campaign is travelling across several states, from Enugu to Lagos, to educate people about autism.

Okeke said the team is reaching rural communities, schools and churches through the campaign, which is being carried out in partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria.

He added that the cyclists are expected to cover more than 600 kilometres across the country.

Beyond raising awareness, the initiative is also seeking funds to train autism caregivers nationwide.

“Our target is to begin with 1,000 autism caregivers this year,” he said.