The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Ras J. Baraka, presented the Young CEO Award to Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Okeke, a 14-year-old Nigerian living with autism.
This recognition took place during the 8th Annual Nigerian Independence Day celebration and the grand event named ‘The New Nigeria Strategic Plan on Reform for the Economy (S.P.O.R.E.)’ in 2023, which was a part of the S.P.O.R.E. Leader’s Summit 2023 in collaboration with Lord & Nikes, featuring the theme ‘Charting the Course for a New Nigeria.’
Mayor Baraka, in a heartfelt letter, acknowledged Kanyeyachukwu’s diligence, devotion, leadership, and the inspiration he provides to his community.
Council Member-At-Large of Newark, Louis Scott-Roundtree, expressed his appreciation for Kanyeyachukwu’s ongoing service, leadership work, and commitment to improving the quality of life in the surrounding communities, foreseeing a lasting legacy of his impact.
The clerk of the City of Newark, Kecia Daniels, officially welcomed Kanyeyachukwu as an honoree of the Lord & Nikes 8th Annual Nigerian Independence Day Celebration 2023.
The event, organized by Mrs. Nike Awoleye, highlighted the New Nigeria S.P.O.R.E. initiative’s dedication to fostering discussions and collaborations for the country’s economic reforms and the well-being of its people.
Kanyeyachukwu, originally from Amichi in Anambra State, Canada-born to Mr. and Dr. Tagbo-Okeke, is a distinguished painter who has gained global recognition in both the creative art world and as an advocate of diversity and inclusion for individuals with special needs.
In 2019, he was honored with the Nigerian Independence Day Award for Social Bravery, and his artwork adorns the walls of embassies in Nigeria and foreign mission headquarters worldwide.
His paintings have been exhibited in prominent locations such as New York, Washington DC, Malta, and at the OPEC Fund for International Development art exhibition in Vietnam and Austria.
