By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development, has unveiled the ‘My Family Companion National Reading Relay and Guinness World Record Attempt’, describing it as a bold national initiative aimed at promoting literacy, youth engagement, and improved awareness of maternal, child, and family health across Nigeria.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Mr. Emmanuel Essein, who represented the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative reflects the government’s renewed commitment to youth empowerment and family wellbeing as core pillars of national development.
He described the project as a landmark movement that brings together storytelling, reading culture, and civic participation to drive conversations around health and social wellbeing, particularly at the family level.
The Minister noted that the reading relay, which is also a Guinness World Record attempt, is being spearheaded by Nigerian youth advocate and medical professional, Dr. Otubo Victor, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), and Red Media Africa.
According to him, the event is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, in commemoration of the International Day of Families, a globally recognised occasion dedicated to highlighting the importance of strong family systems in national development.
He explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader social agenda, especially following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development, which prioritizes family stability, health, and productivity.
“The National Reading Relay is not merely a Guinness World Record attempt; it is a national movement that uses reading, storytelling, and youth participation to raise awareness on maternal, child, and family health,” he said.
He further disclosed that while the current Guinness World Record for the Most People in an Online Video Reading Relay stands at 130 participants, Nigeria is targeting over 300 readers drawn from all 36 states and the diaspora in a bid to set a new global benchmark.
Also speaking, Dr. Otubo Victor, Executive Director of Stand Consults and author of My Family Companion, said Nigeria continues to face significant maternal health challenges, noting that postpartum haemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality.
He stressed that delays in seeking care, misinformation, and gaps in preventive health practices continue to contribute to avoidable deaths, adding that the initiative will help strengthen public awareness on maternal and child health, vaccination, and preventive healthcare.
Representing the Director of Mental Health and Psychosocial Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Essein, Comrade Chukwuma Ugwoke described the initiative as more than a reading exercise, but a platform to connect policy with citizens and translate awareness into meaningful action.
He added that the programme will empower young Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora to become advocates for improved maternal, newborn, child, and family health outcomes.
