Zahani Kuma, popularly known as Mr Reliable, a Nigerian fashion entrepreneur, has made history by completing a grueling 115-hour ironing marathon in an ambitious bid to secure a new Guinness World Record (GWR).
The previous record for the longest marathon ironing was set by Gareth Sanders, a cleaning company manager from Bristol, UK, who ironed continuously for 100 hours from October 26 to October 30, 2015. Sanders undertook this formidable challenge at a local Asda Superstore in the UK, dedicating his efforts to charity. However, it took him over two weeks to fully recover from the physical toll of his achievement.
Mr Reliable, whose Guinness World Records application was approved in November 2023, commenced his quest to break the record at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja from April 23 to April 28. His motivation stemmed from a desire to support children facing academic challenges.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the determined fashion designer expressed his commitment to the cause, saying, “For five sleepless days and nights, I will be dedicating myself to resilience, endurance, and hard work with the utmost goal of raising a sum of money and supporting in my little way the educational challenges faced by many children within my locality through my profound NGO.”
Drawing from his own life experiences as an orphan who overcame adversity to pursue education, Mr Reliable emphasized the importance of providing support to disadvantaged children, stating, “As an orphan at a very young age, my desire for education was vast; even though there was no one to aid me, I persistently pushed my way through. Now, I’ve taken it upon myself to assist as many children as possible in reaching their full potential.”
Mr Reliable’s remarkable achievement adds to the recent string of Nigerian successes in breaking Guinness World Records. Just last week, Clara Kronborg, a Nigerian YouTuber and social media entrepreneur, set a new record for the longest interviewing marathon, with an impressive time of 55 hours and 24 seconds. This surpassed the previous record of 37 hours and 44 minutes set in 2022 by Rob Oliver from the United States of America.
The feats of individuals like Mr Reliable and Clara Kronborg not only demonstrate extraordinary endurance and determination but also serve as inspiring examples of using personal achievements to make a positive impact on society. As Nigerians continue to showcase their talents and resilience on the global stage, they inspire others to reach for their own dreams and contribute to meaningful causes.
