On Thursday, Christopher Olusa, a FUTA alumnus who plans to break the record for the longest speech marathon, declared his intention to do so.
Olusa announced that the Guinness World Record, GWR, has given him the go-ahead to start his challenge during a news conference held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, news Centre in Akure, the capital of Ondo State.
His objective, he claims, is to beat the current record holder, Ananta Ram, who accomplished the feat in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018 over a period of 90 hours and 2 minutes.
By trying a 120-hour (five-day) word-to-word speech, Olusa’s Speech Marathon, dubbed “From Words to World Records,” hopes to surpass Ram’s previous record.
The challenge, he continued, will start on September 11, 2023, in Akure. He emphasised that his goal is to raise awareness of the difficulties experienced by kids who have aphasia, a language condition that impairs the capacity for efficient communication.
“Our Speech Marathon is more than simply another activity; it is a monument to the willpower of people and the unflinching power of language. I will read speeches from inspirational leaders from across history, taking us on a five-day voyage of enlightenment.
I will find knowledge and inspiration in the words of influential people who have made a lasting impression on our globe, including former and current world leaders.
“It is about going beyond bounds, breaking through barriers, and striving for the remarkable.
“I’m deeply committed to this project personally, beyond words. I am mentally and physically prepared to take on this enormous challenge at my best,” Olusa stated.
The training of kids with aphasia, a neurological condition that impairs speech and comprehension, would be funded in part by monies raised during the marathon, he noted.
In his remarks, Leke Adegbite, the chairman of the Ondo State NUJ, praised Olusa for his audacity in attempting to break the previous record for the longest speech marathon and pleaded for the full cooperation of the authorities and all interested parties in order to succeed in the endeavour.
