By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.

A 16-year-old Nigerian autistic artist and Guinness World Record holder, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Okeke has embarked on 2nd Guinness World Record cycling across Nigeria.

The cycling challenge titled ‘RideWithKanye’ aimed to foster understanding and promote the inclusion of individual with autism through widespread public engagement, commenced in Enugu and would conclude in Lagos on 2nd April 2026 to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

Kanyeyachukwu rode from Enugu to Anambra State in just 2 hours and 40 minutes and was given a grand reception at his country home, Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Chief Simon Nsobundu Okeke (Ochendo Amichi) Kanyeyachukwu’s grandfather while speaking, welcomed everyone that came to honour his grandson and prayed that God Almighty would help him to go through it successfully.

“He will meet no impediment on the way” Ochendo Amichi prayed.

Mr Tagbo Okeke, Kanyeyachukwu’s father who spoke during the grand reception said they found out that his son is autistic at the age of five, adding despite that, Kanyeyachukwu has been richly endowed with enormous gifts.

“Whatever he starts, he completes with perfection.He rode from Enugu to Anambra in just 2 hours and 40 minutes.We are blessed to have him” he disclosed.

Dr. Silvia Tagbo Okeke, Kanyeyachukwu’s mother disclosed, “it all started when he was born, he wasn’t talking and was diagnosed with autism.

“We started looking for solution but God was faithful and kind that was when we discovered his talent in painting.

“He has been painting since age five.We said okay, he has autism, we need to tell the world what autism is all about and not because of him, but for other children out there. Even though, they can’t talk, we can’t just throw them away”she emphasized.

She revealed that Kanyeyachukwu has visited so many countries, noting that his works had reached over seventeen countries in the world.

“I am proud of my son, I give God the praise for his life.Though he has intellectual disability, he has gone so far in life. I encourage parents to meticulously find out what their child is good at, nobody is useless” she advised.

She further disclosed that the initiative was a collaboration between the Cycling Federation of Nigeria and Kanyeyachukwu Autism Society Foundation, noting that the idea was to raise money to train one thousand caregivers to take care of the children.