Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has congratulated John Obot, on his feat of breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud.
Obot reached 145 hours on Monday, September 18, beating a previous record of 124 hours set in September 2022 by Rysbai Isakov (Kyrgyzstan) in Bursa, Turkey.
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Governo Eno, in a congratulatory message released on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, was effusive in his praise of Obot.
“This is what we all can do in our various fields with the right discipline, mindset, determination and focus. This is what the Akwa Ibom spirit represents: resilience, grit, determination, ‘can-do’ bravado and passion to excel.
“Your success has ignited our reading culture and I look forward to celebrating you and other heroes and heroines during our forthcoming 36th State Anniversary.
“Congratulations again, great son of Akwa Ibom State,” the statement read.
Obot, a school teacher, read from a variety of books, mostly Nigerian literature, in an event held at Cityview Hall, Watbridge Hotels & Suits, along IBB Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Since the inception of the task on Tuesday, September 12, several personalities, including dignitaries within and outside the State, have stopped by to show solidarity in their different ways.
Some of the over 40 books Obot read aloud within the six days include Echoes of The Traditional Society written by a renowned Nigerian journalist, Akpandem James; Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe; Civil War Child by Nestor Udoh; Ibibio Nation: History and Culture by Oto-Obong Uwah; Eze Goes to School by Michael Crowder and Onuora Nzekwu; and Animal Farm by George Orwell, among others.
Speaking before the commencement of the exercise, Obot said he undertook the task to draw attention to the fast-declining reading culture, especially among Nigerian youths, and as a way of encouraging authors to continue their art of writing.
Obot is the son of the late journalist, Mr. John Obot, who worked with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and died in a ghastly motor accident while on an official trip to the head office in Abuja a few decades ago.
Present at the ‘Readmania’ event include the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Senator Representing Eket Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson; Senator Representing Uyo Senatorial District, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; State Head of Civil Service, Chief Effiong Essien; ALGON Chairman in the State, Rt. Hon. Iniobong Robeson among others were there and joined in the countdown to 145 hours from 144:50 hours.
Obot ended the loud reading at 10pm on Monday, after successfully reading for 53 hours to set a new record for the longest marathon reading aloud.