By Rosemary Etim Bassey
A 16-year-old student has made history after setting an impressive record during Nigeria’s first-ever participation in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL), proving that swimming is more than just a sport—it’s a life-saving skill.
Also read: Governor Mbah Approves Scholarships for Over 760 Enugu Students, Teachers
Munachi Odulukwe, an SS2 student of Emerald High School, Asese, Ogun State, emerged as the overall best swimmer in the Dead Man Float Challenge, staying afloat in water for an astonishing 1 hour, 21 minutes and 7 seconds.
The feat was achieved during the 17th edition of the global swimming event, organised by Swim in 1 Day Africa (SID Africa), a non-governmental organisation promoting water safety with the theme “Swimming Lessons Save Lives”.
Hundreds of students participated in survival swimming lessons and competitions designed to teach practical skills that can help prevent drowning.
The Dead Man Float is a basic survival technique that allows a person to stay afloat during emergencies by using the body’s natural buoyancy while making very little movement. It helps swimmers conserve energy until help arrives.
Odulukwe’s remarkable performance earned her first place ahead of Chinwendu Okoye, who finished second with a time of 41 minutes and 21 seconds, while 12-year-old Toni Ajayi came third with 13 minutes and 15 seconds.
Speaking after her victory, Odulukwe admitted that the challenge tested both her body and mind.
“Spending over one hour in the water was stressful, but I was determined to finish,” she said. “Swimming is a skill that can save lives when there is danger.”
Second-place winner Okoye described the competition as one of the toughest she had ever experienced despite already knowing different swimming styles.
“I’ve practised butterfly and breaststroke before, but this challenge was completely different,” she said.
For Ajayi, the youngest among the top three finishers, the competition was an exciting first experience.
“I’m just starting, but I really enjoyed it,” she said, adding that swimming helps her stay fit and reduce stress.
The vice principal of Emerald High School, Samson Akano, praised the students for combining academic excellence with sporting achievement.
He said schools should encourage co-curricular activities because they help students develop important life skills alongside classroom learning.
Convener of SID Africa, Emeka Chuks-Nnadi, said the event was aimed at reducing drowning by teaching children survival swimming techniques.
He noted that many participants had never entered a swimming pool before the programme but gained confidence through the training.
“Swimming is beyond sport; it is a life-saving skill,” he said.
Chuks-Nnadi added that the organisation is also training visually impaired children and hopes to discover future Olympic and Paralympic swimmers through its programmes.
The event ended with certificates and scholarships presented to outstanding participants, celebrating not only their achievements but also their commitment to learning a skill that could one day save lives.
Leave a Comment