The Ekiti State government has announced a ban on a planned three-day kissing marathon to set the Guinness World Record in the state.
A group identified as Sugartee in an advert making the rounds in the state and social media had been scheduled to start on July 7 for the longest world kissing marathon in a popular amusement park in the state capital.
However, the state government through a letter dated July 3, 2023, from the Ministry of Arts and Culture addressed to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association while announcing the ban on the scheduled competition said any facility that hosted the event would be severely sanctioned.
The letter signed by the Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dele Ogunsemoyin noted that the planned event tagged ‘kiss-a-thon ‘ was capable of tarnishing the image of the state.
The statement said, “The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a planned hosting of ‘Kiss-a-thon’ in Ekiti State.
“According to information at the disposal of this Ministry, kiss-a-thon, a 3-day kissing marathon event, has been scheduled to hold on 7th of July, 2023 at one of the hospitality outlets in the State. This event is said to be planned towards setting a Guinness World Record.
“’Kiss-a-thon’ as an event is not only absurd, unhealthy, immoral and capable of denigrating the image of the state, it is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and therefore capable of plunging our Youths morally backward.
“In view of the foregoing, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism hereby prohibits the hosting of such event or any other events like it in any facility that wishes to continue to operate lawfully in Ekiti State.
“Sequel to the above, you are hereby requested to convey the content of this Notice to the members of Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association to effectively monitor their outlets against being used negatively to cause embarrassment to the Government and People of Ekiti State.”
