Longest Marathon Lecture: Osun College Provost breaks world record

The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Foreign Links Campus, Moro, Ile-Ife Osun, Dr Nsikak Akpan has broken the record for the longest marathon lecture delivered in the world.

Akpan broke the 139 hours, 52 minutes, and 42 seconds record previously held by Indian Professor, Arvin Mishra on Sunday morning when he clocked 142 hours.

The environmentalist however insisted on continuing till he surpasses 150 hour mark.

In his lecture on Monday, Akpan called on the government at all levels to ensure enforcement of numerous laws protecting the environment and human health.

He said, “smoking at the public is injurious to both the smoker and the people around him. The people around him are called secondary smokers and the smoke has a negative effect on their health too. Since we have a law that prohibits smoking in public places, I want to call on the government to ensure enforcement of these laws to protect our environment and most importantly, the health of residents.”

Speaking further, the academic counselled the Osun State government to immediately stop concreting of the road medians, describing the idea as moving from “green to black.”

“The grasses and plants along the median help absorb Carbon monoxide and other heavy metals such as Zinc, Lead, etc released by heavy machines. Absence of these trees and other plants means the elements will be sent into the atmosphere and there increases the chances of spreading diseases.

“The Osun State Government should stop this process as it’s against the international standard.” He said .

Akpan started his Guinness World Record-chasing attempt on Monday, September 23 and he has covered a wide range of topics on ecology and environmental science.