Habibat Salawudeen Embarks on 144-Hour Scripture Reading GWR Marathon

Habibat Salawudeen Ihiovi-Jack, a Nigerian citizen, has commenced an ambitious pursuit to establish a new Guinness World Record. Her objective is to complete the longest Holy Bible reading marathon, aiming for a continuous 144-hour session in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This significant undertaking, titled “144 Hours in the Word,” began on June 22 at the Novotel hotel in Port Harcourt and is anticipated to conclude on July 2, strictly adhering to official Guinness World Records regulations.

As of Saturday, Habibat had successfully passed the 100-hour mark of her reading endurance challenge, now entering the final phase of the demanding event. Online videos circulated show her diligently reading aloud from both a lectern and a desk setup. Digital timers were visibly tracking her progress, while a dedicated group of supporters consistently cheered her on throughout the marathon.

According to the organizers, this record attempt is being conducted in full compliance with Guinness World Records stipulations. These rules mandate continuous oral reading, with only brief, designated breaks permitted for essential personal needs. Habibat, who is an active member of The Summit Bible Church in Port Harcourt, characterized this endeavor as a faith-driven initiative, intended to foster a deeper engagement with the Holy Bible.

Dr. Andy Osakwe, the Senior Pastor of Summit Bible Churches Worldwide and Habibat's spiritual leader, has also expressed his full endorsement of the project. He articulated that this effort extends beyond a mere quest for a world record, viewing it rather as a spiritual undertaking designed to elevate the significance of God’s Word and serve as an inspiration to believers.

The demanding challenge has garnered considerable support from her family, friends, and fellow church members. Additionally, it has attracted significant attention across social media platforms, aligning with the increasing trend of Nigerians undertaking various endurance-based record attempts. Notably, Habibat’s current endeavor follows the official recognition by Guinness World Records in 2024 of another Nigerian, Samson Ajao, who established the record for the world’s longest marathon reading aloud.

Ajao, a 27-year-old from Ibadan, achieved an astonishing 215 hours of continuous reading, equating to nearly nine full days. This feat considerably surpassed the previous record of 124 hours, which was held by Kyrgyzstan’s Rysbai Isakov since 2022. Ajao’s accomplishment further enriches Nigeria’s expanding portfolio of Guinness World Record pursuits, building upon the widespread enthusiasm generated by endurance challenges like Hilda Baci's celebrated cook-a-thon and numerous other marathon events.