The Young Picasso who beat autism

At age 8 against all odds, he shot through history books beating over 70 internationally established artists to clinch the prestigious Flame of Peace award.

Arguments have been put forward suggesting that Michelangelo was almost certainly autistic. Writers claim some of his traits including a remarkable interest in his work, a temper that could change at the drop of a hat, strict routines, and very poor social skills are consistent with those who have high functioning autism.

Year after year, thousands of children are born with autism in Nigeria. When this happens, it is viewed as a devastating blow to the familiy. Consequently, they are isolated due to fear and shame of stigma often associated with having a child with academic/perceptive disability in a society such as ours; coupled with cultural beliefs and superstitions. Most times some are killed by their families.

One in 160 children according to World Health Organization (WHO) lives with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) worldwide. Further statistics show that out of 135 million established cases of autism in the world, more than one million children and teenagers suffering from the condition are in Nigeria.

More so, experts insist that there is overwhelming justification for policy and legislation that will drive change in the way the problem is addressed in the country.

But while other parents consider autism a death sentence, the parents of Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke sought instead to understand the problem as well as find alternative learning methods for their son. Their quest led to the unravelling of the youngest recipient and first African to clinch the coveted “Flame of Peace” award.

Biopsychologist and author, Nigel William Thomas Barber once noted that: “One of the key paradoxes in the lives of highly creative people is that high achievement is promoted by an exclusive focus on someone’s field of endeavor. Whether it is Edison inventing the electric light bulb, or Beethoven writing a symphony, the capacity to transcend prodigious challenges requires a keen ability to screen out distractions, whether social, or practical.” 

This assertion clearly defines a key attribute in the young man who is now 9 years old. When Kanye is painting, nothing else matters. He becomes one with it.

And so history was made on September 6th 2018 when the artist known as “Young Picasso” was conferred with the prestigious “Flame of Peace” award in Vienna, Austria for his contribution to promoting peace with art, to the amazement of the arts and diplomatic community in Austria and the world.

Born in Canada, Kanye whose parents are from of Anambra State, Nigeria did not have it easy at the beginning. After a long search, his parents enrolled him in a regular school that also carter for special kids.

When his English teacher discovered that could not answer questions in class like other kids, he devised an ingenious method. Realising that the boy likes to draw, he requested for his answers in drawing. The response was amazing for he would sketch his answers. On further prompting, he would add a one liner beneath the work to explain what he had illustrated. In all, he always got his answers right. Albeit in pictures!  What a teacher!

His parents later enrolled him in an arts class where his talents exploded. It was a journey Tagbo and Sylvia Okeke (his parents) described as a miracle. His works found way to the Nigerian Ambassador to Austria; an art enthusiast.

On seeing one of his paintings at the embassy, the Ambassador after inquiring about artist, alerted other art enthusiasts and collectors.

Kanye’s creativity also got to the ears of the art community and art connoisseurs in Europe including Suleiman Al-Herbish, the Director General (DG) of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), an intergovernmental development finance institution established by the Member States of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), whose yearly art exhibition showcases artists from around the world whose works are dedicated towards peaceful coexistence in the world.

Prestigious art museums like Moya Museum of Young Art, Vienna Austria, curators and members of the Austrian monarchy were also hinted about his art. After careful scrutiny, the museum’s board concluded that his works were exceptional and must be among those to be displayed at their art exhibition.

Following reviews of his works, Kanye was nominated for the “Flame of Peace” award for his contributions on fostering world Peace with art. It was conferred on him by the Arch Duchess of Austria, Lothringen. The award caused so much enthusiasm in the Austrian art community and led to invitations to numerous other exhibitions including that of Solomon Okpurukhre, a Nigerian curator also based in Vienna.

At the Flame of Peace Awards, Kanye’s painting was selected from over seventy artists invited globally to showcase their works at the United Nations Young Artists for Peace exhibition to the amazement of art critics and lovers.

In his remark, Dr. Kolja Kramer, the curator of Moya Museum and one of the organizers of the event expressed delight about the conferment on such a young boy. His conclusions were: “Kanye is very talented and his art is very deep and mature.”

The DG of OFID, in his remark, enthused: “Kanye has demonstrated a high level of creativity for a child of his age. He has demonstrated that artistic skills can be nurtured from infancy irrespective of the challenge the child might face.”

Speaking about the award, Silvia and Tagbo Okeke expressed gratitude to God, to the DG, OFID, the Nigerian ambassador to Vienna, the Arch Duke and Arch Duchess of Austria and all “lovers of art who have been so appreciative of Kanye’s art and have shown so much support.”

They thanked Moya Museum for recognising Kanye’s talent and creativity. Reflectively, the Okekes observed: “This award has shown that Nigerian kids are exceptional and if given the opportunity and enabling environment, would go places.”

Mrs. Vivian Okeke, Nigerian Ambassador to Austria also indicated that, “Nigeria as a country is excited about this recognition. Kanyechukwu is an exceptional boy and one of Nigeria’s most promising artists. He is a shining light to other children and a great example of what autistic kids can achieve.”

Established in 2007, the Flame of Peace is an award granted by the Austrian non-profit organization, Association for the Promotion of World Peace. Its recipients include President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh; Ambassador of Jordan to Austria, HE Mr. Hussam Al Husseini; a former President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga; Chairman of Carnegie foundation, President of the Prague Parliament in Czech Republic, and many others.

With recognition, Kanye also got the United Nations young artists award for Peace.

Medical experts, Lesi FE, Adeyemi JD, Aina OF, Oshodi YO, Umeh CS, Olagunju AT, Oyibo W., in an article, ‘Autism in Nigeria: A call for action’, published in Journal of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria insist “there is overwhelming justification for policy and legislation that will drive change in the way the problem is addressed in Nigeria.”

They appeal that “there is a need for countrywide availability and accessibility of care, for empowerment to all families who have special needs children, and for scaling up the training of relevant personnel. Research and advocacy that underpin further policy development and action are required urgently. Clearly, the time for action is NOW.”

While federal government is yet to take a stand against combating autism or any health challenge for that matter, United States President George W. Bush has since December 19, 2006 signed the Combating Autism Act of 2006, Pub. Law No. 109-416 into law. This law authorizes nearly one billion dollars in expenditures, over five years beginning in 2007, to combat the autism spectrum disorders of autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD-NOS through screening, education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services, and research.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/10/what-child-prodigies-and-autistic-people-have-in-common/

Also read: https://www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/historys-30-most-inspiring-people-on-the-autism-spectrum/