Bayode, Nigerian Targets 120 Hours Guinness World Record In Reading

A young Nigerian, Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi is attempting the Guinness World record in reading. Speaking with WSJ in Lagos on Sunday, he said ”I have always loved to read good materials right from when I was in secondary school. Even though from a humble background, Boyede has never treated reading with kid gloves.

”I remember, there was a year I bought a book with my savings meant for Christmas clothes, the Accounting graduate from Osun Polytechnic, Iree, recalled with nostalgia. Bayode is attempting the Guinness World Record in the longest marathon reading aloud category. The current record is 113 hours 15 minutes. It’s been held by a Nepali, Deepak Sharma since 2008.

Bayode is however, attempting to do 120 hours. He disclosed that he did 90 hours during the trial run at the instance of one of the sponsors before coming on board. ”I did 96 hours, but why break the record then try to break it again”, he asked rhetorically, exuding much confidence.

The event will take place at the YouRead library at Herbert Macaulay Way Yaba, Lagos from 12 pm February 26th – March 3rd, 2018. ”I am hoping to read more than ten books for this quest, he said, adding ”though the number of books read does not matter”. Nigerians are however, invited to come around to witness the event in any of the six days. Authors of some of the books Bayode will be reading will be at the venue to autograph their books and give them away for free.

Sponsors of the event include GT Bank, Tagheuer, Lagos State Government amongst others.

According to Bayode, he is doing this for the love of books; to make reading culture popular in Nigeria and Africa and to tell the youths that music and sports are not the only way to fame and money. He stressed that education was still the best platform.

”Even though am not making any money from and with this for now, I am happy doing it”, he said as he expressed hope that something positive and big would come out of it.