GWR: Obaseki backs LASU undergraduate attempting marathon reading, donates N10m

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has backed Miss Angel Riemen Asein, an indigene of the Owan West Local Government Area of the state, who is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud by an individual.

Obaseki made a N10m presentation to her foundation when she was presented to the governor at the inauguration of the Cee-Jackson Apartment and the 73rd birthday celebration of the Chairman of Benin Port Project, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

According to the 500-level undergraduate of Fishery and Aquatic Biology at the Lagos State University, her decision to embark on the world record attempt was to give support to ongoing efforts to eradicate prostitution and cultism in the State.

The read aloud marathon which is expected to last for 200 hours, would run for nine days, and is scheduled to take place at the State Library Complex, Secretariat Building, along Sapele Road, Benin City from February 23 to March 3, 2024.

Commending her efforts, Obaseki noted, “We are here to identify with what Greg Obgeifun loves and we have decided to support this young girl, Angel Asein who represents what we are in Edo.

“Education is a tool needed to compete across the globe and to succeed in the future and we are making sure we provide such a platform for our people.

“I am passionate about this young girl who is trying to place Edo State in the Guinness Book of World Records by identifying with our own issues, cleaning the distorted records, as she is trying to tell our own story to the world. I am giving you a present which is a donation to this young girl’s foundation. I am donating the sum of N10m.”

Congratulating host, Ogbeifun, the governor prayed that God grants him long life in good health, noting, “We are celebrating him today because of what he represents to all of us. We have seen different aspects of him, his role as a father and brother in this family; his role as a community leader in this community; his role with his Alma Mater; his role in his profession, and his activities in supporting different courses especially those that concern young people across the country.

Ogbeifun thanked God for good health, thanked the governor and other guests for felicitating him.