Guinness World Record: Oto-Awori Community Celebrates Damilola’s 120-Hour Hairdressing Marathon, Hails Youth Inspiration

Guinness World Record: Oto-Awori Community Celebrates Damilola’s 120-Hour Hairdressing Marathon, Hails Youth Inspiration

By Naomi Onome 

The successful completion of the 120-hour hairdressing marathon by 24-year-old Ikechukwu Damilola, popularly known as Transformation King, has continued to attract commendations from community leaders, government officials, religious figures, and residents of Oto-Awori LCDA, Lagos State, who described the feat as a source of pride and inspiration for Nigerian youths.

Speaking on the remarkable achievement of Ikechukwu Damilola, popularly known as Transformation King, who recently completed the 120-hour hair-making marathon in pursuit of a Guinness World Record, Hon. Bolaji Kayode Robert, representing Ojo Federal Constituency, described the feat as a source of pride and inspiration to youths across Nigeria.

He congratulated Damilola for his resilience and determination, while also commending the management and leadership of the local government for supporting and sponsoring the young hairdresser’s dream.

“This is a giant achievement, not only for Damilola but also for the entire community. I congratulate him wholeheartedly and appreciate the local government authorities whose support made this dream a reality,” he said.

Addressing Nigerian youths, the lawmaker urged them to emulate Damilola’s courage, dedication, and perseverance.

“My message to our youths is simple: let Damilola’s success inspire you. There are many opportunities out there. With determination, hard work, and consistency, you too can soar. He deserves to be celebrated and encouraged for setting this example,” he stated.

Hon. Robert also praised the chairman of the Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area for backing the initiative, noting that more investments in youth development were needed.

“The chairman deserves commendation and encouragement. There are many other areas where our youths need support, and I believe this achievement is only the beginning. More successes are still to come,” he added.

Reflecting on Oto-Awori LCDA’s reputation for nurturing talents, the lawmaker expressed optimism about the future.

“Oto-Awori has always been a special local government. We are trailblazers and pathfinders. There is still so much more to expect from us,” he said.

Hon. Robert encouraged Damilola to stay focused despite his success, urging him to continue striving for greater heights and to mentor younger talents.

“This is not the end of the journey. There is still a long way to go. I encourage him to keep pushing and, importantly, to help raise other young people coming behind him. By doing so, we can take many of our youths off the streets and channel their energies into productive ventures,” he concluded.

Also speaking during the event held at Unique Unity Bird Hotel and Bar, Olayasi, Ijanikin, Hon. Kareem Azeez Abiodun, the Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA, said Damilola’s achievement was a dream coming into reality and a testament to what passion and determination can accomplish.

According to him, the local council remained committed to supporting young people willing to showcase their talents.

“It is one of our desires that whenever we see any of our youths willing to showcase their talents, we will always be there for them. That is why we supported this young man with everything we had,” he said.

The chairman revealed that when Damilola first approached him with the ambition of undertaking a 120-hour marathon, he was initially skeptical.

“I wondered how possible it was for someone to stand for 120 hours engaging in hairdressing activities. But today, I can see that when you have passion and determination, you can achieve anything,” he said.

Abiodun stressed that the feat has projected Oto-Awori LCDA positively on the global stage and assured that the council would continue to support youths with innovative ideas.

He added that the local government has invested in skill acquisition programs and remains committed to youth empowerment.

“We have equipped our skill acquisition centers and trained youths in various skills. In this era when getting a job is difficult, having a skill can go a long way in helping young people become self-reliant,” he said.

On security, the chairman acknowledged the challenges facing the country but assured residents that Oto-Awori remained vigilant.

“We hold regular peace and security meetings and receive weekly briefings from security agencies. We have directed them to intensify surveillance and ensure the safety of our communities,” he added.

Bishop Ademola Oluronbi of Kingdom Family Church, Olayasi, Ijanikin, praised Damilola for becoming a role model to youths in the community.

“We are here to encourage him and let him know that the community is strongly behind him. What he is doing has become a lesson to many youths. Instead of engaging in drinking and smoking, there are good things they can channel their energy into, just as he is doing,” the cleric said.

According to him, Damilola has become a point of reference not only to his family but also to the entire Olayasi and Ijanikin communities.

“There are many people who may never have heard of Olayasi or Ijanikin before now. But through this achievement, he has put the community on the global map,” he stated.

The bishop prayed for greater heights for the young hairdresser and urged him to continue striving for excellence.

“The sky is the limit. We pray that God will strengthen him and that after this achievement, he will continue to rise higher and higher,” he added.

Chief Ayoade Eweje, the Otunba Baba Alaje of Oto-Awori and Chief Executive Officer of Unique Unity Bird Hotel and Bar, where the marathon took place, said he was proud to have supported Damilola from the beginning.

“The day he came to me, I did not take it too seriously. But when I realized his determination, I began supporting him financially and morally,” he said.

Eweje disclosed that the event has brought international attention to his facility and the community at large.

“Unity Bar Event Centre is now known globally because of this program. I thank God everything went successfully without any incident,” he said.

He advised youths to remain hardworking and avoid laziness.

“I don’t want young people to relax. They should work hard and prepare for their future. Hard work pays,” he stressed.

Hon. Jimoh Ramon Olunloyo, Supervisor for Tourism and Chieftain Affairs in Oto-Awori LCDA, described Damilola’s accomplishment as a major boost for the council.

“It is a plus to Oto-Awori LCDA because he has proved to the world that he has what it takes to succeed and serve as a good image for our people and Lagos State at large,” he said.

Olunloyo urged youths to think outside the box and explore skills beyond formal education.

“There are many skills young people can acquire and use to build a successful future,” he said.

Similarly, Hon. Abayomi Sodiq, APC Apex Leader in Ijanikin, Oto-Awori LCDA, and former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ojo Constituency II, expressed pride in Damilola’s accomplishment.

“As a father, I am proud of this young man breaking this record. This achievement shows that once you can dream it, you can achieve it,” he said.

He noted that not every youth must venture into politics or civil service.

“He is an artisan, and today he is setting an international record. This should encourage other youths that greatness can be achieved through skill and determination,” Sodiq stated.

The former lawmaker also assured that Oto-Awori remains relatively peaceful and called on the federal government to intensify efforts in tackling insecurity across the country.

Mr. Bola Oyedele, a community leader, congratulated both Damilola and the local government for supporting the initiative.

“I want our youths to emulate what Damilola has done. They should be inspired by his courage and determination. Young people have enormous potential; they only need support and encouragement,” he said.

Oyedele praised the chairman of Oto-Awori LCDA for investing in youth development and expressed optimism that more outstanding talents would emerge from the area.

“Oto-Awori has always been a special local government. We are pathfinders, and many more achievements are still coming,” he said.

He further advised Damilola to mentor younger talents and help take more youths off the streets.

Damilola’s 120-hour hairdressing marathon has become one of the most talked-about youth initiatives in Lagos, with residents and stakeholders expressing hope that his determination and success will inspire a new generation of young Nigerians to pursue excellence through skill, creativity, and hard work.