The School of Eloquence in Lagos has marked its 20th anniversary by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest public speaking relay. The institution organized a 20-day non-stop speaking marathon that lasted for 480 consecutive hours, surpassing the previous record of approximately 127 hours. The attempt is now awaiting official confirmation from Guinness World Records.
Event Details and Purpose
Ubong Essien, the founder of the School of Eloquence, stated that the initiative was designed to elevate the value of public speaking and showcase Nigeria's intellectual capacity to the global community. The event was streamed live for 20 consecutive days, ensuring that speakers addressed various subject matters continuously without interruption. Essien emphasized that the initiative aimed to reshape global perception of Nigeria by highlighting the country's intellectual depth beyond entertainment and sports.
Official Supervision and Verification
The attempt was officially supervised by Guinness World Records, with senior adjudicator Lena Kuhlmann assigned to monitor the exercise virtually. The record is currently undergoing verification. Essien confirmed that the event was a licensed attempt, with an adjudicator supervising the process.
Selection Criteria and Future Plans
Speakers were required to deliver meaningful and impactful messages. Future editions of the marathon will include documented recommendations for policymakers. Essien cited funding, logistics, and power supply as major obstacles, recalling a near-disruption when a generator malfunction threatened the live broadcast.
Impact and Vision
Essien expressed optimism that the initiative would inspire Nigerians to embrace dialogue, ideas, and constructive engagement in shaping society. He noted that the 480-hour marathon proved that sustained attention could be given to issues of national importance, and that speech, when structured and intentional, can be a tool for development.
