Our Correspondent|27 February 2017
Oluwatobi Kehinde Oke, the corps member that made a surprise speed painting of the Governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade at the governors evening ball, last December in Calabar has taken delivery of the one million Naira promised him by the governor.
The 27 year old corps member, popularly known as Tobi Oke is a corps member with State Code EB/16A/1927 serving at the Government House, Abakaliki of Ebonyi State, Nigeria and promotes his art with the brand name 9jARTitude.
Speaking through Mr. Obaji Abung-Akpet, creative director of Cross River Studios, the company that managed him for the event and managed his communication with the governor, Oke, who is elated that the cash gesture by the governor came for real described Prof. Ayade as governor, who has lived above his contemporaries in other states in his continuous drive for youths not minding where they come from.
When asked what he will do with the cash given him, the corps member said the one million Naira, which is a dream come true will not only go a long way in helping him in his career as an artist but will also aide him commence his long over dreamt art studio aimed at raising capacity among children and young people interested in the field of arts.
Raised by a single mother, Oke, a native of Ilisan-Remo of Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria horned his speed painting journey from age six in 1996; and has since grown above board performing surprise speed paintings of prominent personalities in events.
As he continues in his genre of creativity, Oke has grown tall to become the dream of every prominent personality being invited to make appearance in their events. Popular among the events he has been considered genius for his exceptional painting performance include the speed painting at Law digest Africa Awards 2015 (where he painted popular music icon, Bob Marley); Outstanding Young Achievers Awards 2016 (painting Fela Kuti); at Chocolate City founder, Audu Maikori’s birthday 2016 (painting Audu Maikori himself); Home Advantage Africa Evolve 2016 (painting Jesus Christ); Jam city festival, 2015 (painting Nelson Mandela); Palm Experience, Ibadan (Bob Marley) and many other performances, just to mention but a few.
But the creative genius did not in any way study his arts in any formal school as he is known to have been graduate of Economics at Lead City University of Ibadan He once told newsmen that the gift is latent.
The corps member won the love of the Governor of Cross River when he showed up unexpectedly at the governors evening ball held at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) in Calabar and performed a four minute surprise speed paintings of the governor
The live speed painting was done facing his canvas upside-down within four unprecedented minutes.
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