The Ekiti State Government has announced a ban on the planned three-day kissing marathon to set the Guinness World Record in the state.
In an advert made around the state and social media, a group identified as Sugartee had scheduled July 7 for the commencement of the longest world kissing marathon in a popular amusement park in Ado, the state capital.
However, in a letter addressed to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association dated July 3, 2023, by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the state government threatened to sanction any facility that hosted the event.
The letter signed by the Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi, noted that the planned event tagged ‘Kiss-a-thon ‘ was capable of denigrating the image of the state.
“Kiss-a-thon” as an event is not only absurd, immoral, unhealthy and capable of denigrating the image of Ekiti, it is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and, therefore, capable of plunging our youths morally backwards.
“Following this, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism hereby prohibits such an event or any related events like it in any facility that wishes to continue to operate lawfully in Ekiti State.
We recall that an Ekiti Chef, Damilola Adeparusi, known as Chef Dammy, had earlier concluded a 120 hrs cooking marathon in Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state.
Also, Adeola Adeyeye, identified as Chef DEO in Ile-Oluji, area of Ondo State, is attempting to set the longest world cooking marathon of 150 hours.