Olawunmi Bayode says he did it out of his love for reading, and to encourage young people to read more.
This is what you call dedication:
Olawunmi Bayode of Lagos, Nigeria just earned himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for reading aloud for 120 hours straight. Bayode began his reading on February 26 at approximatley 1:30 PM, and ended on March 3, reports Brittle Paper. According to This Is Africa, Bayode read non-stop, taking only one, two hour break everyday.
He ran through 17 titles, mostly by African authors, including Toni Kan's The Carnivorous City, Sarah Ladipo Manyika's Independence, Leye Adenle's Easy Motion Tourist, Barack Obama's The Audacity of Hope and more.
Just in case you missed it, Olubayode Treasures-Olawunmi recently broke the world record for the longest marathon r… https://t.co/tXh8hg0AKs— Channels Book Club (@Channels Book Club) 1520356005.0
Bayode surpassed the previous record held by Deepak Sharma Bajagain of Nepal, who read aloud for an impressive 113 hours and 15 minutes.
The marathon reading took place at the Herbert Macaulay Library in Yaba, where several supporters came to watch and cheer him on.
Congratulations Bayode! Bayode Treasures Olawunmi read for 122 hours on his #GuinessWorldRecord "Longest Marathon… https://t.co/Iuakrsrdys— Surprising Lagos (@Surprising Lagos) 1520115368.0
Many Nigerians, even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have expressed pride in Bayode's accomplishment, and have shared overwhelmingly positive responses via social media.
I am excited to read the news about our own dear @iread_bayode. He has not only set a new Guinness World Record in… https://t.co/PYOcUilMo2— Atiku Abubakar (@Atiku Abubakar) 1520160379.0
Thank you for making Nigeria proud @iread_bayode https://t.co/J1q0IJkWen— Tosin Craig (@Tosin Craig) 1520246263.0
So Olawumi Bayode read for 5 days non-stop. A great feat!!!! 🙌🙌🙌 I love Guinness World Records like this. God bless Nigeria.— Evelyn Oluwabukola 🌹 (@Evelyn Oluwabukola 🌹) 1520103785.0
Bayode was received by the Lagos-state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for his accomplishment this morning.
AMBODE FOR THE CULTURE!!! Earlier today at the Lagos House, I paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of L… https://t.co/dqFGG4WkRV— Bayode Treasures-Oluwunmi (@Bayode Treasures-Oluwunmi) 1520432150.0
By bringing this title to Nigeria he's only strengthening the country's already rich literary tradition. Major congrats to the record-holder!
