News
Oba Arowotawaya Celebrates Erinmo Star who Broke World Record for Longest Marathon Drawings in UK
By Damola Emmanuel
Erinmo-Ijesa is agog with jubilation. The town is enveloped in wild celebrations. No, not for the fast approaching 10th Coronation Anniversary of their indefatigable monarch, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawaya II, which kicks off in four weeks’ time, but for one of its citizens who just put the name of the agrarian town in bold prints on the world map.
Abidemi Praise Omopariola, a film production undergraduate of the University of Sunderland, last Friday, July 5, 2024, broke a world record by drawing portraits for 80 consecutive hours.
The marathon, held at Deigo’s Joint in Sunderland, was organised by Fedash Consultancy Limited in collaboration with the University of Sunderland’s International Office.
On where or how she got the zeal to push boundaries for the formidable challenge, Abidemi, who lost her father at a very young age, leaving the burden of raising her and her siblings on her mother’s shoulders, said:
“My love for art is the main motivation behind this. I started drawing at the age of 10, and I’ve always been a girl who aims for bigger. I feel inspired by women who are always aiming for greatness.
“I lost my father at a very young age, but my mother has always been the one striving and pushing hard to see me achieve great success in life and to see the sky as the starting point.
“This gave me the zeal to push beyond the boundaries and set higher target for myself.”
She praised her university, lecturers, colleagues, and the entire students body for their unflinching support not only for the challenge but since she entered the university.
“The University have been so supportive of me since my first day,” Abidemi said. “It feels like yesterday when I started the admission journey.”
“My lecturers, tutors, colleagues, the student union and every arm of the institution have been super supportive.
The world record holder in marathon drawings is also full of praises for the international office at the University, who, she said, worked tirelessly with Fedash to ensure her success.
Abidemi is not the only one that is super excited about her feat. So are all her compatriots back in Nigeria, led by the monarch of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi, Arowotawa II, who has been celebrating her since she broke the world record last Friday.
Indeed, Oba Ajayi has written a powerful letter to celebrate the star who has put Erinmo-Ijesa emphatically on the world map using her skill and talent.
The proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating. That is why we are publishing the Oba Michael Ajayi’s ‘song’ of praises for Abidemi, verbatim, below:
In honour of Abidemi Praise, a shining star from the esteemed Omopariola Family of Erinmo-Ijesa, Osun State, Nigeria, currently studying at the University of Sunderland.
I, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi Arowotawaya II, Elerinmo of Erinmo- Ijesa, extend my heartfelt goodwill message to you as you embark on an extraordinary endeavor to break the Guinness World Record for the longest portrait drawing marathon, lasting 80 hours.
Your remarkable talent and dedication have made Osun State and Erinmo- Ijesa proud, and we are thrilled to see you excel in the diaspora. Your achievement is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and excellence that our community embodies.
Despite the loss of your father, your mother’s love and dedication have nurtured your exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to see you excel in the diaspora. Your achievement is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and excellence that our community embodies.
As you strive to achieve this remarkable feat, I wish you the very best, abundance of strength, focus, and creativity. May your passion and determination inspire others, and may your name become a beacon of excellence, reflecting the greatness of our community.
Kudos to you, Abidemi Praise, for making us proud in Nigeria, Osun State, and Erinmo-Ijesa. May your success be a catalyst for even greater achievements, and may your name be etched in the annals of history as a true champion.
Congratulations, and may the blessings of the Almighty be upon you.”
E-Signed;
HRM Oba (Dr) Michael Odunayo Ajayi JP
Arowotawaya II
The Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa
