By Michael Babatunde
Ekiti Chief and Guinness World Record hopeful, Sanya Atofarati, has celebrated the successful completion of 120 hours challenge to set new GWR for Longest Marathon Watching Television with widows at Ilawe Ekiti.
Atofarati, a community leader and creative artist, who began the marathon television watching challenge on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ended it on Monday, January 1, 2024 after clocking the targeted 120hours in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The challenger, who expressed hope that he would be certified by GWR after verification of his evidences, said the celebration with widows was his first outing after completion of the 120 hours exercise in the early hours of Monday.
In his word, “My prayers are with the widows and I will continue to support and celebrate them. I have since made it a tradition to host the widows every December 28, but because of the GWR exercise, I could not on that date hence the reason we’re just doing that today.
“I give them monetary support (cash gift). It is important to always identify with the indigent and needy citizens. Many of these people were solely dependent on their husbands, but the husbands are no more, so you imagine what they would be going through in this harsh economy. That’s my drive.
“I am of the opinion that identifying with the widows, indigent and needy is a thing right thinking and well-meaning individuals in society should embrace. These people are to be supported in all ramifications. I have done this with the hope of having the ability to do more across all regions of the country and it will be periodically.
“The joy on the faces of the widows on being recognised and the way they appreciated the gesture show that things like this are needed to put smiles on their faces,” he said.
Atofarati, who made 120 hours, said his GWR challenge was to break the 94 hours set by the present GWR holder in the category, Fragoso, a web developer from New York, holding the record since 2016 and set a new record.
He said, “We are optimistic of being recognized as the new Guinness World Record holder because all the prescriptions outlined in our Personal Guidelines were meticulously and diligently followed.
“All our evidence requirements are ready because they were treated to real-time. It will be reviewed and submitted to GWR with the next 72hours,” he said.
Atofarati, who appreciated Nigerians for their support during the exercise, said it was a privilege to have represented Nigeria in the competition.
He said, “Watching TV for 120 hours has strengthened my knowledge base because I am better informed about the world and happenings around me which I believe will further enhance my capacity to deliver.
“I am of the belief that the exercise has further added value to tourism benefits in Nigeria. I thank Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Senator Biodun Olujimi; and the Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Amb. Wale Ojo-Lanre for encouragement and support.
“I also appreciate the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi; former Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State, Segun Adewumi; Ekiti State former Commissioner for Works, Mrs Funmi Ogun; Mrs Lanre Fajuyi; the host community under Elder Sunday Agunbiade; host of others too numerous to mention and my wife, Mrs Orobosa Atofarati,” he said.
