The federal government has revealed a huge painting of President Bola Tinubu on a canvas in Abuja to commemorate the 25th anniversary of democracy.
Previously, Democracy Day was celebrated on May 29 each year. However, in 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari changed the date to June 12.
This change was made to honor MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
At this year’s event, the painting — claimed to be the world’s largest on canvas — was unveiled at Eagles Square.
The artwork depicts Tinubu wearing a wine-colored agbada and a blue cap with his infinity signature.
Speaking to journalists at Eagles Square, Opeyemi Olaore, the coordinator of the painting, stated that the portrait was created by 37 artists from across the country.
He said, “We, 37 of us, led by Artifact Galleries, including myself Opeyemi Olaore, Toyin Jinadu, and Adele Oladipupo, gathered 37 artists to create the world’s largest painting portrait on canvas.”
“Let’s keep it a surprise until it is unveiled. The concept behind it is that while we often talk about the government, we know there is poverty in the land…”
The size of the painting is yet to be disclosed. According to Guinness World Records, the largest painting measures 12,086.59 m² (130,099 ft²) and was completed by Hung Chi-Sung (Chinese Taipei) in Hualien, Chinese Taipei, on June 21, 2019.
