More facts have continued to emerge about the background of the new world record holder in marathon reading, Olawunmi Treasures Bayode.
Bayode performed the rare feat on Saturday March 3rd, 2018 at the You Read Library, Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba at exactly 3:30pm, having read for a total of 122 hours, from Monday, March 26, 2018, setting aside the record set by Deepak Shama Bajagain from Nepal. He read aloud for 113 hours 15 minutes between September 16th – 24th, 2008.
An indication that Bayode have always exhibited special traits from the womb was given by his mother, Mrs Morounkeji Olawunmi in an exclusive chat with Ikorodu Oga Radio, shortly after her son broke the world record at the You Read Library Hubert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos.
A visibly overjoyed Mrs Olawunmi recounted some of the challenges she went through and how she carried Bayode’s pregnancy for 15 months, six months beyond normal nine months delivery period.
‘I carried his pregnancy for one year and three months. If you get to Oguntolu General hospital today, you will see my picture and the white doctor that took his delivery’ she said.
Mrs Olawunmi who was full of praises to God encouraged mothers to endure whatever challenges they may face while raising their children because, according to her, she had to endure several hardships while bringing him up.
‘I raised him and his other siblings in abject poverty. He was trained through proceeds from selling Fufu and Eba. Infact, he assisted me to hawk while schooling. But, it was my desire and I ensured that all my children, including Bayode got education’.
The elated mother also thanked the Management of GTBank and Lagos State government for supporting Bayode to break the Guinness world record in marathon reading.