Entertainments

N25m Award from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to Autistic Teen Guinness Record Breaker

Published

5 months ago

May 26, 2025

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Awards N25m to Autistic Teenager’s Guinness World Record Achievement

Nigeria’s First Lady and wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has doled out a cash award of Twenty-Five Million Naira to Guinness Record holder for the world’s largest art canvas, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Okeke.
Kanyeyachukwu, a 15-year-old autistic artist, set the record in November 2024 by creating a massive painting featuring a multi-colored ribbon, the symbol for autism, surrounded by emojis, covering 12,304 square meters.

Receiving Kanyeyachukwu in her office on Monday, Senator Oluremi Tinubu stated that the financial support was for his artistic prowess and should be channeled towards his education. She expressed her admiration for Kanyeyachukwu’s heroic achievements despite his challenges.

“I read and heard about the young lad and sent for him. I want to thank the parents for loving him. Mental health challenges occur in many very intelligent children. I am aware of the many challenges of autism and I have written a book to also raise awareness for autism,” the First Lady said.

She added, “I want to use this medium to send a message to other parents who have children with special needs to focus on their children’s skills and high points. These special needs children usually have a single interest, so parents should help them push towards their preferred skills and goals. Thank you for all your efforts towards taking Kanye to win the Guinness World Record. Tuesday is Children’s Day, and there couldn’t have been a better day than today to recognize Kanye.”

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed MFR, mni, praised the First Lady for celebrating this remarkable milestone.

“Kanyeyachukwu’s journey is a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when passion meets opportunity. Despite being autistic, his achievement is a beacon of hope for countless other young Nigerians aspiring to make their mark in the world of art and culture,” Minister Musawa said.

He attributed Kanyeyachukwu’s success to the First Lady’s Youth Empowerment programs and enabling environment for young people to thrive.
“Your commitment to empowering youths in Nigeria is outstanding and second to none. It is widely known that through the Renewed Hope Initiative that focuses on women and youth empowerment, the First Lady has championed several programs that bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed and no dream remains unfulfilled”.

The First Lady showered Kanyeyachukwu with gifts and a dummy check of Twenty-Five Million Naira, while the Guinness World Record holder presented a painting made by him and his award certificate.

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Creative Industry

Miss Luxury Pageantry 2025 Set to Hold Maiden Edition

Published

1 week ago

October 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Miss Luxury Foundation has announced that all is set for the 2025 maiden edition of the Miss Luxury Pageantry, scheduled to hold November 4, 2025 at the prestigious Lagos Continental Hotel.

Organisers say the high-profile event, themed “Where Beauty, Purpose, and Power Unite,” will not only celebrate elegance and excellence but also amplify advocacy, leadership, and social impact among young women across Nigeria.

In a statement issued by the Digital and Publicity Lead , Mr Eze Okocha Eze and made available to newsmen in Abuja ,the Foundation said the pageant, which is being organised in partnership with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, United Towns Agency, United Nations, International Commission for Peace and Good Governance, and The Nest Resource Centre, will showcase 37 exceptional contestants ,one from each Nigerian state and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the organisers, the 2025 edition marks a historic shift in Nigerian pageantry, as it eliminates traditional beauty barriers such as height or size, focusing instead on purpose, advocacy, and leadership potential.

“This is your moment to make history, “for the first time ever, 37 women ,one from each Nigerian state and the FCT will be selected to compete for the inaugural Miss Luxury titles.

“No height or size requirements, no pageant background needed,just bold purpose and a desire to lead.

The Founder and Executive Director of the Miss Luxury Foundation, Dr. Edidiong Udoidiong, described the event as more than a competition, but a movement that empowers women to lead and inspire.

“Through the Miss Migration Crown, we are addressing a major national challenge,” Udoidiong said.

“We are placing a mandate in the hands of a young woman who would serve as an ambassador for safe migration, a voice for the displaced, and a face of hope to those who have none.”

Udoidiong noted that the Foundation is collaborating with key institutions to promote safe and legal migration, taking its advocacy to schools, communities, and online platforms nationwide.

He noted that the Foundation also runs empowerment and vocational training programmes aimed at equipping vulnerable women and youths with practical skills to keep them from falling prey to human traffickers.

Beyond the glamour, the Miss Luxury Pageantry, according to the organisers, is a pioneering platform dedicated to empowering women through visibility, advocacy, and voice.

“We don’t just celebrate beauty , we elevate leadership beyond the stage ,we celebrate the embodiment of a strong, resilient woman, we celebrate voices of young women around the world.

“with real-world training in brand development, strategic advocacy, and purpose-led leadership, as well as access to global platforms for women who rise through the initiative.

Meanwhile, he said that a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has offer free sponsorship for the first 20 contestants to register for the pageant.

The maiden edition will also reward winners with life-changing prizes designed to boost their careers and humanitarian missions.

The winner of the Miss Luxury crown will be given a hundred thousand dollars cash prize, a brand new luxury car, a brand new luxury home in a premium location and a five year modelling contract followed with endorsement deals.

“She would make appearances at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, an international brand ambassadorship, and a lifetime mentorship opportunity.

The Miss Migration crown comes with a seventy thousand dollars cash prize, a luxury car, ambassadorial deal with NCFRMI, endorsement deals, modelling contracts, and mentorship.

The Miss Humanitarian queen will walk away with a fifty thousand dollars cash prize, a luxury car, endorsement deals, modelling contracts, and mentorship.

In addition, he stated that the Face of Renewed Hope winner will walk away with a twenty thousand dollars cash prize.

The Publicity Lead of the Foundation, Eze Okocha Eze, said the growing number of state partnerships underscores the Foundation’s commitment to creating real, lasting change.

“Each endorsement is not just a formal agreement but a shared commitment to nurture and elevate the voices of young women across Nigeria,” Eze said. “Our journey is about building bridges between communities, government, and civil society to create real, lasting impact.”

He explained that these partnerships highlight the Foundation’s efforts to build sustainable empowerment ecosystems for women and girls through education, advocacy, mentorship, and community development.

As excitement builds ahead of the grand finale, the Miss Luxury Pageantry 2025 is expected to attract top government officials, industry leaders, celebrities, and corporate sponsors.

Registration for contestants is still ongoing. Interested participants can obtain forms for 300,000 Naira via www.missluxury.org or contact 0916 904 7400.

More updates are also available on social media via @miss.luxuryglobal on Instagram and Miss Luxury on Facebook.

The 2025 edition is proudly sponsored by One World Migration, Dangote Foundation, VOV Foundation, and Riggs London.

With its blend of glamour, advocacy, and purpose, the Miss Luxury Pageantry will redefine beauty standards ,transforming the crown into a tool for leadership, empowerment, and social change across Africa.

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