There was jubilation at Aba Iya Medi area of Ado Ekiti around 2pm as news filtered in that the Guiness World Record contestant in Longest Marathon Watching Television ,Chief Sanya Atofarati had exceeded 110 hours.
While Atofarati, who is targeting 120 hours continued to watch TV to achieve the goal, the crowd, which had gathered outside the compound in a bid not to distract him, popped champagne, sang, danced and made merry in celebration of having surpassed the present GWR record time.
The Director of Administration, CSA GWR Watch-a-thon, Temitope Ogunsanya, while speaking to newsmen said Atofarati had watched TV for over 110 hours.
“The community leader and creative artist is on the way to making history. We are doing everything according to the rules and regulations guiding the category.
“Chief Atofarati is in high spirits. He will not even stop at 120 hours in the early hours of Monday January 1, 2024, he will continue for some hours more to demonstrate that he has the strength to carry on and that he is well prepared for the challenge”.
Among callers to give solidarity on Sunday is the Director General, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism, Wale Ojo-Lanre; a former Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Segun Adewumi; and a former Ekiti State Commissioner for Works, Mrs Funmi Ogun.
The Chairman, Landlords Association, TCU/Irekanmi Ouarters, Ilawe Road, Ado Ekiti, Joseph Agunbiade, in a memo to landlords on Sunday, said, “With what I have noticed during my visit to where Chief Atofarati is chasing the GWR, victory is certain”.
Agunbiade, who canvassed sustained interest, support and hospitality, said, “I am delighted to inform you all that our revered High Chief Sanya Atofarati has made it to a greater level of the GWR contest for the Marathon Watching of TV. My visits there show that he is more determined and more focused than ever before”.
Atofarati, who began the challenge in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, 2023, is expected to hit the 120 hours target in the early hours of Monday, December 1, 2024.
The GWR chaser had, while disclosing his intention, said, “I will be using this avenue to raise awareness for information gathering and dissemination in Africa. If I win, it will afford me the global audience to further propagate the quality of a blackman through exhibition of personal crafts and encourage the younger generations.
“Prior to this time, not many people know that I hail from a town (Ilawe-Ekiti) where Banana grows like flowers and is one of the largest producers; not many people know that I am a farmer, a sculptor, an impressionist, a song writer and more; but now they know.
“More interesting is that, I got the GWR’s approval to submit evidence at a time the world is celebrating Christmas and New Year festivals when there are less work on the tables; but a time to bond and merry with families and friends,” he stated.