The Ekiti State Government has banned the planned three-day kissing marathon to set the Guinness World Record.
A group simply identified as Sugarte scheduled 7th July for the commencement of the longest world kissing marathon in a popular amusement park, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital.
In a letter to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association, the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture told the organisers to jettison its plan to host the kissing marathon in the state.
The letter, signed by a Director in the Ministry, Mr. Adebanji Adelusi on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dele Ogunsemoyin, noted that the planned event tagged ‘Kiss-a-thon ‘ is capable of denigrating the image of the state.
It warned that any facility that hosts the kiss-a-thon event would be sanctioned accordingly, stating that the event runs contrary to the values of the State.
The letter reads in part: “‘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 backwards.
“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”.
