The interest of fans got piqued (March 1, 2024) at the Edo State Library complex when Angel Osariemen Asein paused from her reading schedule to address students, endorsing two competitions, in her bid to give back to society.
The Guinness World Record aspirant made an open call for entries for an “Arts exhibition and a Reading competition” open to eligible secondary students with attached prize money.
The two competitions programmed to climax the read-a-thon will feature the showcase of crafts in an Arts exhibition, which highlights the ability to turn waste products into wealth, as well as the key reading competition that beams focus on students and their ability to answer questions cutting across three books, ” ‘Not always easy;’ ‘The return of Amenze;’ and “From Birth to Death’,” by next Tuesday (tomorrow), when the read-a-thon winds down.
As Asein went on break, the Commissioner for Digital Economy in Edo State, Hon. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor alongside the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe interacted and took photographs with the students to awaken in them the “Can do spirit.”
Already on the day March 1 of the read-a-thon, recording 86 hours of Loud reading, with an additional 114 hours to go, Asein is strong and spirited, pushing on despite her exhaustion.
Manager of Asein, Mr Amienye Omorogie, in a candid and exclusive interview said the read-a-thon has not been easy, but, they were looking to hit the 200- hour mark with the support of Edolites who come around daily to spur Angel on in her reading. This he pledged would go a long way to imbibe in Edo youths the reading culture.
He stated that about “Fifteen (15) schools from the metropolis have come around and we are expecting more, which is monumental and what the read-a-thon is all about. Not just about winning but making an impact, touching all the youths and those of secondary schools in Edo State so that they will also be reading. Like we say, leaders are readers.”
Throwing light on the support base of celebrities and government officials thus far, he said, “Some few hours back, we had the first lady of Edo State, Betsy Obaseki coming around to encourage Angel. We had the Commissioner for Education, Arts and Culture, Digital Economy, Gender Issues…. We have had celebrities of Edo extraction like Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. Later on today we have been informed that Nollywood stars Nosa Rex and Etinosa will be here to equally cheer her on.
“We have likes of Porkupyne, comedians, content creators and bloggers coming around to wish her well.”
