Meet Favour Ochi, Imo prodigy who became an artist at 6

By Emmanuel Iheaka

Attention, endless admiration is on Favour Ochi, who innocently picked up a pencil at the age of six to draw and has never looked back. She has rather been making tremendous progress in the arts.

Long before many children learned to write neatly, Favour was already sketching faces and shapes with unusual passion. What began as a childhood curiosity at the age of six has grown into an impressive artistic talent, now turning heads at 16.

At the grand finale of the 2026 Seplat Pearls Quiz in Owerri, Imo State, her artworks became the most admired attraction, earning praises from visitors who struggled to believe the works were created by a secondary school student.

While the rest of the participants in the exhibition came with beautifully paper-fabricated buildings and toy automobiles, Favour was the only one with artworks. Nobody could walk past her works without stopping to admire her ingenuity.

In her collections were the eccentric President of the United States of America, Donald Trump; renowned skit maker, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, and a man she simply called a ‘special neighbour.’

The beginning of the journey

Speaking exclusively to SEV, Favour narrated that she began making drawings at the tender age of six. She would pick images and start drawing. Most of the things she did at that stage were cartoons.

Amazingly, the teenager disclosed that she has a book of cartoons containing her best works.

If either of Favour’s parents was an artist, one could easily deduce where the gift comes from. But neither of her parents has talent in the arts. While her father deals in automobile spare parts, her mother knows nothing about drawing.

Favour takes art as a hobby, and her skill was honed when she moved from Lagos to Owerri last year. In her residence, destiny placed her in the hands of a professional artist who picked interest in the sensational budding artist and decided to groom her into the great delight she has become.

“I started drawing when I was six years old. I would take pictures from television and draw them. I make cartoons. I have a book on cartoons.

“When I came to Imo State last year from Lagos, I met an artist in my compound. He saw my work and picked interest in me. He said he wanted to make me better.

“I started learning from him – drawings, painting. His name is Ambassador Arts. We were four within the neighborhood who picked interest in learning. I was the youngest among them,” she narrated.

Trump, Sabinus, and ‘Special Man’

Among many living in their apartment, why would Favour choose a particular man as special? The teenager said the man stands out in character, care, and guidance. He had positioned himself as a passionate counsellor to the teenagers and kids in the compound, readily accessible and approachable.

The portrait, according to Favour, would be presented to him on his birthday, which was very close, in appreciation of his commitment to the growth of the young.

“This is a man in our compound, a very special man. I drew this for his birthday.

“He is different from any other person. He has this kind of attraction to every other person in the compound. As a child, you are free to go and talk with him. He is like a big brother. You can call him a brother, you can call him an uncle , you can call him a friend, or your best friend. He is always there to advise and guide you.”

As for Donald Trump, Favour held that his re-election as President of the United States carries an inspiring lesson of doggedness, tenacity, and never-say-die spirit. The SS2 student of Positive Minds Secondary School submitted that one can achieve anything with the right determination and commitment.

“I drew Donald Trump because of how much he inspires me. He represents tenacity, doggedness, and never-say-die spirit. He failed to secure his re-election, but never gave up. He fought to come back. And today, he is playing a very strategic role in maintaining the peace of the world.

“His story shows that with determination, one can achieve anything in life as long as one doesn’t give up”.

As for Sabinus, Favour said the skit maker was among the first to catch her attention and that of her family. So, making his portrait was a way of appreciating his contributions to the entertainment industry.

Studying Arts in school

Is Favour intending to study Fine Arts in a tertiary institution? The teenager said Medicine and Surgery is her preference. She sees arts as a hobby, and something she could do alongside her passion of saving lives through medicine.

“I want to study Medicine and Surgery. I see arts as a hobby, and I am glad I have taken it to an appreciable level. People now pay me to draw them.

“I am passionate about saving lives, and that is why I intend to study medicine.”

Favour exuded exceptional confidence, brilliance, and oratory that leaves one in awe. Call her an all-in-one package.

Speaking with SEV, the Founder of Osondu Arts & Marbles, Mr. Daniel Osondu, described Favour as an emerging master of arts. According to Osondu, the teenager may soon have the world of arts in her palms.

The world, no doubt, is waiting for the manifestation of Favour, so long as she doesn’t put her hand on the plough and looks back.

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