By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has marked World Autism Awareness Day with a N200 million donation to support autism advocacy and caregiver development in the state.
The governor announced the funding while receiving teenage autism advocate, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, at Lagos House, Marina. The donation includes N100 million for autism-focused organisations under the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and another N100 million for the Kanyeyachukwu Foundation.
Kanyeyachukwu recently completed a 687-kilometre endurance cycling journey from Enugu to Lagos, traversing multiple states over 15 days in a campaign tagged #ImpossibilityIsAMyth. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about autism and promote inclusion for individuals on the spectrum.
Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu described the financial support as a strategic investment to expand access to care and build professional capacity for caregivers supporting children with special needs.
“This is not just about one child. It is about using this platform to touch many others who do not have the same opportunity,” the governor said, stressing the importance of training skilled caregivers to address challenges faced by children with developmental conditions.
He commended Kanyeyachukwu’s achievement, noting that the advocacy effort had transcended record-setting to deliver a message of hope, resilience and inclusion. According to the governor, the young cyclist’s journey highlights the potential of children on the autism spectrum when given the right support.
Sanwo-Olu also praised the advocate’s family for their dedication, particularly his mother, whose commitment he described as instrumental to his success.
Earlier, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the cycling journey as an impactful initiative that had evolved into a broader movement for social change, while commending the state government’s support.
In her remarks, General Manager of LASODA, Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities through sustained policies and programmes.
Also speaking, Kanyeyachukwu’s father, Tagbo-Okeke, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for supporting the advocacy campaign, noting that the journey was completed without incident.
The event attracted government officials, disability advocates, development partners and supporters, with Kanyeyachukwu celebrated for leveraging endurance cycling to advance autism awareness and champion inclusive support systems for children with special needs.
