By Maryam Aminu
The Federal Government is backing an ambitious nationwide reading campaign expected to draw more than 300 Nigerians in a bid to break the Guinness World Record for the “Most People in an Online Video Reading Relay” while pushing awareness on maternal and family health.
The initiative, tagged My Family Companion National Reading Relay, is being spearheaded by Otubo Victor in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria and Red Media Africa.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by Emmanuel Essein, described the project as a national movement aimed at promoting literacy, youth engagement and advocacy for maternal, child and family health.
He disclosed that the event, scheduled for May 15 to mark the International Day of Families, seeks to surpass the current Guinness World Record of 130 participants by mobilising readers from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the diaspora.
According to the minister, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader push to strengthen family values and social development following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development.
“The National Reading Relay is not merely an attempt to set a Guinness World Record; it is a national movement that harnesses the power of reading, storytelling and youth participation to advance awareness of maternal, child and family health,” he said.
Olawande added that beyond chasing a global record, the programme is designed to amplify the voices of young Nigerians and nurture a new generation of advocates for maternal, newborn and child healthcare.
In his remarks, Victor, author of My Family Companion and Executive Director of Stand Consults, raised concerns over Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate, noting that postpartum haemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths after childbirth.
He attributed many of the deaths to misinformation, delays in accessing healthcare and poor preventive health practices, stressing the need for sustained awareness and counselling programmes for women and communities.
Victor explained that the initiative would also promote education on maternal health, vaccination, preventive care and herd immunity as part of efforts to reduce avoidable deaths.
Also speaking, Comrade Chukwuma Ugwoke, representing the Director of Mental Health and Psychosocial Affairs, Emmanuel Essein, described the campaign as a platform that connects government policy with grassroots action.
“This is not just about reading a book, but about amplifying a message and transforming awareness into action,” he said.
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