The Ekiti State government has taken a decisive stance by banning a planned three-day kissing marathon, which was set to take place in the state with the aim of breaking a Guinness World Record.
The event, organized by a group known as Sugartee, had been scheduled to commence on Friday, July 7th, at a popular amusement park in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti.
The state Ministry of Arts and Culture swiftly condemned the proposed event on July 5th and issued a stern warning to all hoteliers in the state, prohibiting them from allowing their premises to be used for the marathon kissing session.
In a letter signed by the Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi, on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dele Ogunsemoyin, the state government threatened heavy sanctions against any hotel found to be permitting such an exercise on their premises.
The Ekiti State government emphasized that the planned event, which was being promoted under the name “Kiss-a-thon,” had the potential to tarnish the state’s image.
The ministry expressed concerns about the negative impact such an activity could have on the reputation and values of the state.
The statement reads; ‘’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.
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.”
