Another Nigerian, John Obot, breaks GWR for longest reading Marathon

Ini Billie, Uyo

Another Nigerian, John Obot has reached his 145 hours Guinness World Record (GWR) official attempt for the longest marathon reading aloud event.

With the 145 hours mark, Obot has surpassed the 124 hours record set by former holder of the title, an Indian, Rysbai Isakov.

Obot started reading on Tuesday 12 September, 2023 at Cityview Hall (LETTERS HOUSE), Watbridge Hotels & Suites, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by 1 pm after some technical hitches with equipment/power failures which invalidated his initial attempt.

After reaching the 145 hours mark, an excited Obot declared that he would continue reading till 10 pm Monday and thanked everyone present for the support.

Present at the ‘Readmania’ event to cheer up the marathoner, were the Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Enobong Uwah, Commissioner of Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebiet, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Media, Mr Anietie Usen, among other notable politicians and indigenes.

The venue of the event was packed full of supporters and admirers of the marathoner who started a count-down for the reader when he reached 144 hours 59 minutes and 34seconds.

The reading marathon was supported  by Uyo Book Club, founded by Dr Udeme Nana, Chief Program Director, Readmania Team.

John Obot, a school teacher is the son of late journalist, Mr John Obot, who died in active service as the Akwa Ibom State Correspondent of  Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).