Recognise Anyiam As World’s Oldest Person–Foundation

Founder of Stand for Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, has called on Guinness World Records (GWR) to recognise Nigeria’s an elderly Nigerian, 128-year-old Pa Anyiam Anthony Onyegbule, as the world’s oldest person.

Okeoma, who spoke with the centenarian and organised his 128th birthday on March 9 in his country home in Umuchoke village, Obazu Mbieri in the Mbaitoli local government area of Imo State, said it was only fair for GWR to officially recognise Pa Onyegbule as the oldest human being alive.

According to him, since the current oldest person in the world is 116 years according to the Guinness World Record, it is only fair that GWR recognises the Nigerian.

Pa Anyiam had in an interview said he was part of teenage volunteers who built the Holy Trinity Cathedral at Obazu in 1915 though he doesn’t know the exact date he was born.

Okeoma also urged President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to honour Pa Onyegbule who has records to prove that he was born around 1898.

Okeoma said, “As an activist journalist and founder and president of Stand for Humanity Foundation, I urge Guinness World Records to officially recognize Pa Anyiam Anthony Onyegbule as world’s most oldest person. We have documents to proof that Pa Onyegbule was born on March 9, 1898.

“According to Guinness World Records, the oldest human being alive currently is 116 years but with my latest discovery of Pa Onyegbule who was 128 years on March, 2026, it is only fair, just and equitable for Guinness World Records to recognize him as the oldest human being in the globe, currently.

“At 128, Pa Onyegbule walks unaided, has his memories intact. No dementia. He baths himself, has healthy appetite, reads without glasses and still forecasts football matches. It is an evidence of good living and that good things are in Africa. It is a testimony of God’s promise that with long life and good health will he satisfy his people.

“Our organization, Stand For Humanity Foundation which I preside, organized a birthday anniversary celebration for him on March 9 where Nigerians trooped to his country home in Umuchoke village in Obazu Mbieri in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State to shower him with love, gifts and money. The lawmaker representing him at the Imo state House of Assembly, Innocent Ikpamezi, came with gifts and gave Pa Onyegbule N500,000.

“I urge president Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodimma to honour Pa Onyegbule with national and state awards and name a monumental project in his honour. It is a way of thanking God for the gift of longevity to the old man.”

Okeoma said that his organization would continue to push until the centenarian is recognized by GWR and honoured by governments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Imo State, respectively.