By Milcah Tanimu
Christopher Olusa, a 24-year-old post-graduate student at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo stateChristopher Olusa, a 24-year-old post-graduate student at the, Nigeria, is gearing up to break the Guinness World Record for the “Longest Speech Marathon” by delivering a continuous speech for an impressive 120 hours.
Motivated by a strong commitment to inspire positive change in society, Olusa aims to surpass the current Guinness World Record of 90 hours and 2 minutes set by Ananta Ram KC of Nepal in 2018. KC began his record-setting speech marathon on August 27 and concluded it on August 31, 2018, after maintaining silence for almost seven days as part of his preparation.
Christopher Olusa’s attempt is scheduled to be a “5-day word-to-word record” event, commencing on September 11, 2023, at Dejavu Hotel in Akure.
Speaking to journalists in Akure, Olusa revealed that he has received approval from Guinness World Records to challenge the existing record held by Mr. Ram. He emphasized his physical and mental readiness to undertake this monumental challenge.
He stated, “Today, I am overjoyed to announce that our unwavering dedication has borne fruit, as Guinness World Records has granted us their esteemed approval for what promises to be an unprecedented feat.”
Olusa’s speech marathon is not merely an event but a testament to human determination and the power of words. Over the course of five days, he plans to read speeches from inspirational figures throughout history.
While expressing his determination to continue advocating for positive change through words, Olusa mentioned that he is prepared to draw inspiration from both past and present leaders to achieve success in this endeavor.
He highlighted that he had subjected himself to rigorous physical mock trials before attempting to break the speech marathon record. Additionally, he appealed for support from private individuals, government, and sponsors to continue his mission, as funds raised during the marathon would be dedicated to training children with Aphasia, a brain disorder affecting speech and comprehension.
Guinness World Records had previously cautioned Nigerians against excessive and unnecessary record-breaking challenges following several attempts by individuals inspired by record-holder Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon feat. Notable attempts include Chef Dammy’s controversial cook-a-thon and smile-a-thon challenge in Nigeria.
