Interview

[Interview] Read-A-Thon: ‘I Completed 100 Books In 10 Days Reading For 215 Hours’- Osun Reading Champion, Ajao

ByHafsoh Isiaq

PublishedMay 16, 2024

The exemplary feat recorded by Samson Ajao, Osun reading enthusiast who embarked on 214- hours reading challenge to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud has been on for some days now. The latest of the news was Ajao’s successful completion of challenge leaving him the current holder of the title once confirmed by the GWR. Hafsoh Isiaq in this interview with the record breaker, takes us through the hurdles and rigours he faced while attempting the title.

Can We Know You?

My name is Samson Olalekan Ajao. I attended Lagelu Grammar School for secondary education. I also attended Osun State Polytechnic Iree where i bagged Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management in 2021. I was the Students Union President of Iree Polytechnic in Osun State 2021. I am also currently the chairman of Lagelu Grammar School Old Boys Association. I have a consulting firm; Amokoko Consult where i provide writing service and business consulting service to people. I work in a law firm as a administrator.

How Do You Feel Having Completed This Reading Challenge?

I feel so great, i am fulfilled because my aspiration was to inspire people to go back to the librabry and bring back the reading culture from the society and that has been interesting. We have seen people, students coming around and bringing their book to the venue of the programme to read and they were happy to celebrate with us. I believe that has inspired people and it would go along way.

There Are Rumours You Didn’t Register With Guinness World Record Before Embarking On The Challenge. How True Is This?

Let me take you through the process of how we started. The idea is that i started by writing the GWR that i want to apply for this category of award “Longest Marathon Reading Aloud”.

However, Guinness recieves thousands of applications everyday, after accessing my application, they sent me an approval to go ahead and attempt the record. Part of their requirements is evidence guideline.

The most important aspect of evidence guideline is documentation; that is, everything we are doing must be under record; video and photographs because that is what we will upload for them as proof that the challenge was actually done. And everything we did was under coverage for the whole 215 hours.

You Read Aloud For 215 hours, How Many Books Did You Read?

I read about one hundred books on various disciplines.

What Will You Consider As Your Bigggest Setback During The Journey, At What Point Did You Feel Like Quiting?

Of course it was tiring but the passion and support of the people kept me going. And as a human, you can’t be at a place for two days not to talk of 10 days witgout feeling tired, it is not possible. One has to eat, bath, rest, visit the toilet ofcouse a form of digestion. All these hours you take in engaging in these activities would be deducted from the overall hours at the end of the day.

How Many Days Did The Read-A-Thon Took You?

It took me about 10 days. I started last week Monday 6th May, 2024 and i read 100 books.

What Advice Would You Give To People Who Are Looking At Going into Book Reading And Exploring Knowledge Thrrough It?

I want people to go back to the library, i want students, youths and people of all age groups to be reading particularly with famous qoute that says readers become leaders. I am also aware that when people read, they make research and will be equipped with solution to problems facing them.

How Did You Get Money To Fund The Event?

Of course, we get money from people, from the wife of the Osun State Governor; Chief Mrs Ngozi Erelu Adeleke, Adolak Hotels supported us, he gave us his facility for free, management of Osun Polytechnic Iree gave us money, Osun State polytechnic alumni supported, Lagelu Grammar School Old Boys Association supported, Fresh Fm supported.