Amid applause by Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, representing Governor Umo Eno, who is on the President Bola Tinubu’s entourage to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) conference, and other dignitaries, Mr John Obot, a teacher, has smashed the former 124 hours record in reading held by an Indian, Rysbai Isakov.
He set the new record- breaking feat of 145 hours of marathon reading on Monday in Uyo, the state capital, subject to confirmation by the Guinness Book of Record.
Obot started reading on Tuesday, 12 September, 2023 at Cityview Hall (Letter House), Watbridge Hotels & Suites in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by 1pm, after some technical hitches with equipment/power failures which invalidated his initial attempt.
LEADERSHIP gathered that after reaching the 145 hours mark, an excited Obot declared that he would continue reading till 10pm Monday night, and thanked everyone present for the support.
Present at the event tagged: ‘Readmania’, to cheer Obot, son of the late ace Radio Nigeria broadcaster, who died years ago in a fatal road crash, were the deputy governor Akon Eyakenyi, secretary to the state government (SSG), Mr Enobong Uwah, the commissioner for education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebiet, senior special assistant (SSA) to Governor Umo Eno on Media, Mr Anietie Usen, and other notable politicians and fans from different walks of live.
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 34 seconds.
The reading marathon was supported by Uyo Book Club, founded by Dr Udeme Nana, chief programme director, Readmania Team, who was full of thanks to God and other supporters for urging Obot on to reach and surpass the finishing line.
He recalled that John Obot, a school teacher and 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), was a thorough – bred professional with strong passion for reading, and commended him for not disappointing his father, his admirers and supporters.
With the feat attained, Obot has become the second Akwa Ibom Indigene on the verge of enlisting his name on the Honours’ Roll after Linda Baci’s success in marathon cooking, which erased the record of another Indian, earlier this year in Lagos.
