Edo lady aims for world record with 200-hour read-aloud marathon

A Nigerian lady identified as Angel Osariemen is attempting to set a 200-hour world record for the longest read-aloud marathon by an individual.

In a post via Instagram, Osariemen said the attempt will be held at the Edo state library, Benin from February 23 to March 3.

The read-a-thon will feature continuous reading sessions on Benin’s history and cultural heritage, migration, human trafficking, climate change, and art sessions, among others.

Osariemen is a diploma graduate of maritime engineering from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and a current final-year student of the department of fisheries and aquatic biology at the Lagos State University (LASU).

Her attempt is supported by Genius Hub, the event organisers, and Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, who donated the sum of N10 million towards the success of the read-a-thon.

Speaking about the attempt, Osariemen said she is “honoured and grateful to have received the approval from Guinness World Records”.

“This is an incredible opportunity to promote the importance of reading and highlight the cultural richness of Edo State,” she said.

“I hope my efforts inspire others to embrace the power of books and storytelling.”

The longest marathon reading aloud is 124 hours and was achieved by Rysbai Isakov (Kyrgyzstan) in Bursa, Turkey from September 22 to 27, 2022.

With the development, Osariemen will join the growing list of Nigerians who have attempted to set new world records since the beginning of 2023.