Nigeria has been gripped by the Guinness World Record mania, with people going to extreme lengths to claim a record.

From cooking for over 100 hours to crying non-stop for seven days, Nigerians are obsessed with setting world records.

But now, Guinea-born influencer Tembu Ebere added himself to the mix of things to break a record by crying non-stop for seven days, but unfortunately, he went “temporarily blind” during the attempt.

Despite his setback, he says he was crying for African youths to show them that there is no limit to what they can achieve.

And while some people view this trend as a passing craze, others are using their attempts to promote causes such as reading culture.

In an interview with the BBC, Ebere said, “I had to re-strategize and reduce my wailing,” adding that while he was determined to finish out on top, crying for seven days straight proved to be more challenging than he thought.

Furthermore, he says he began to experience severe headaches, a swollen face, and puffy eyes from the constant crying, before going temporarily blind for 45 minutes, he told the news publication.

His attempt in getting his name in the Guinness World Record comes just two months after Nigerian cook Hilda Baci, also known as Hilda Effiong Bassey made history for her cooking non-stop.

Bassey earned the record after cooking 93 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 87 hours and 45 minutes. Her goal was to put Nigerian cuisine on the map and inspire young African women. 

During her four-day kitchen stint, Hilda prepared a 35-item menu and cooked over 100 pots of food. She attempted to set a record of 100 hours, but took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks, resulting in deductions from her final total.

Despite this setback, Hilda’s cook-a-thon became popular on social media, causing the Guinness World Records website to crash for two days. 

To qualify for the record, Hilda had to follow certain rules, such as having at least two items being prepared or cooked at any time and having all items consumed after cooking.

Hilda’s leftover food was donated to the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides meals to disadvantaged children.

Hilda’s achievement has gained international recognition and has put Nigerian cuisine in the spotlight.

She had high-profile Nigerian figures visiting her during her record attempt, including the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed. 

While setting world records can be a fun and exciting way to bring attention to various causes and achievements, it’s essential to ensure that participants follow the rules and take care of their health during attempts. 

Ebere’s attempt highlights the importance of taking precautions while attempting world records. It’s also crucial to remember that not all record categories are suitable due to concerns about their immorality and health risks. 

The Guinness World Records organization is working hard to keep up with the surge in record-breaking attempts in Nigeria while ensuring that participants follow the rules.

Meanwhile, in Ghana, the Referees Department is working towards ensuring a fair and engaging football season through rigorous training programs for referees and assistants.