WORLD RECORD MARATHON READ ALOUD: ONLY LAGOS GOVERNMENT AND ITS AGENCIES SUPPORTED THIS QUEST – BAYODE TREASURES OLAWUNMI; CALLS NIGERIANS TO DONATE TO BUILDING OF LIBRARIES IN RURAL AREAS
By Abayomi Oyelami, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Doubra Yeri; Maryam Abba Sadu; Bayode Treasures Olawunmi; Preciouslight Ukachi and Zainab Wakil Mustapha
History will be made this Tuesday 21st December, 2021 by 5 great Nigerians – comprising Bayode Treasures Olawunmi, Doubra Yeri, Zainab Wakil Mustapha, Maryam Abba Sadu, and Preciouslight Ukachi – as they set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon read aloud by a team. By the day, they would have read for 480 hours having started the quest on Wednesday, 1st December. More than the world record, the quest of these 5 great Nigerians is to build functional libraries across Nigeria especially in rural areas.
Speaking to Trek Africa Newspaper on how they have made the quest possible, the lead Bayode Treasures Olawunmi noted that it could not be possible without the input of Lagos State Government. He praised Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his staunch belief in the quest. He disclosed: ‘Lagos State Government run the library. They are the major sponsors of this initiative. We contacted about 30 companies, only Lagos State Government and its agencies responded. They (Lagos State Government) gave us N4.5million. Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) gave us N1million about 2 years ago which we used to run around before this. Ibile Oil also owned by Lagos State Government gave us 500 litres of diesel.’
People who have visited the Herbert Macaulay Library, Sabo, Yaba will also notice the 24/7 presence of LASEMA, another agency of Lagos State. Ruing the non-support of corporate organizations, Mr. Olawunmi said: ‘We contacted about 30 companies, only Lagos State Government and its agencies responded. Not even a response letter telling us they won’t be able to support was received.’
The man who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest read aloud by an individual reaffirmed: ‘But we must not keep quiet. We must keep pushing. Nigeria will be great. By my effort, by your effort, our efforts, Nigeria will be great’.
He called on Nigerians to donate towards building functional libraries across Nigeria especially rural areas. Donations can be made to:
A/c name: iRead Afrika Foundation
A/c no: 8534215010 (Naira)
A/c no: 8534215027 (Dollar)
FCMB
