By Akpan David, Calabar
A 27-year-old undergraduate of Philosophy in the University of Calabar, Daniel Aiguokhian from Edo State who set a new world record of writing fiction and non-fiction works, non-stop for 188 hours has been offered automatic appointment by the Cross River State government.
Commissioner for Youth and Skill Development in the state, Mr Odum-Ijom
Ukam declared that with immediate effect, his ministry had appointed him as a Consultant to help them train young people on creative writing skills in the state’s entrepreneurship programme that was commencing soon.
He made the appointment when the University of Calabar authorities celebrated a student, Aiguokhian yesterday night at UNICAL Students Union Government, (SUG) Senate Chamber, Malabor Republic.
Ukam commended Aiguokhian for the feat, adding that as a Nigeria youngster from Edo State, Cross River was proud that he set the new world record.
He said Aiguokhian has helped to change the narrative because some youths were associated with vices such as some negative addictions.
Celebrating her student, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Florence Obi extolled the feat, saying Aiguokhian has made the school very proud.
The VC said, ” I appreciate Daniel for letting the world know the intellectual sagacity of our students for being able to write for 188 hours. Indeed this is a feat that people will need to work very hard to break.
“As an institution, we will make sure the world hears about this, I have sent a message to the Minister of Education, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education about this feat.
“In recent times, our school has been in the news for negative reasons. Today, we want the world to know that this is an institution of intellectual giants,” she said.
Obi said encouraged other students to emulate Daniel’s effort and strive to focus positively.
“As we celebrate one of you today, think of what you will do tomorrow to continue this feat, so that the university would be in the news for positive reasons.”
Speaking, Daniel Aiguokhian encouraged young people, especially other undergraduates to set goals and dream bigger dreams for themselves.
Aiguokhian commenced writing on Sunday October 1, wrote 19 books, eight fiction and 11 non-fiction works for eight days, 188 hours, nonstop, thereby setting the new Guinness World Record.
Aiguokhian said he felt great being able to set the record which no one had set before.
He said that he was motivated to go into the arduous task because he wanted Nigerian and African writers to be celebrated for their efforts.
According to him, it is not just about the new record but one’s ability to use the record to impact lives and make the society a better place for all mankind.
“While I appreciate everyone that has supported me, I call on young people not to give up on their dreams but should gather knowledge and look at the bigger picture while shrugging off limitations.
“A major challenge for me was the lack of sleep because for 24 hours each day, I was only entitled to one hour 30 minutes break which is not enough for a normal human,” he said.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.