A Nigerian, Bayode Treasures-Olawunmi has set a new Guinness World Record for ‘The Longest Reading Marathon (Read Aloud)’.He achieved the feat at exactly 3:30pm on Saturday at the YouRead Library in Yaba, Lagos State.

Bayode, a father of three began reading at 1:30pm on Monday and set the new record of 120 hours over a period of five consecutive days.

He erased the former record of 113 hours, 15 minutes set by Nepal’s Deepak Sharma in 2008 reading mostly Nigerian literary works by Toni Kan, Leye Adele and Sarah Ladipo Manyinka among others.

“This is the most adventurous thing I have ever done as an individual. It is not easy for an individual to sit down for five days almost non-stop. The plan is to create awareness for the reading and writing culture in Nigeria.

“I accumulated 20 minutes each day to eat, sleep and have my bath. I don’t even sleep very well but I am glad it is over and I have set a new Guinness World Record,” an excited Bayode said.

A brand specialist by profession, Bayode read aloud for 122 straight hours and only took two hours daily break. To ensure that he was safe, a Lagos State Ambulance was permanently stationed at the library premises while the exercise lasted.