The Ekiti State Government has issued a ban on the upcoming three-day kissing marathon aimed at setting a Guinness World Record in the state.
Sugartee, a group that had organized the event, had advertised July 7 as the start date for the longest-world kissing marathon to take place at a popular amusement park in Ado, the state capital.
However, the Ministry of Arts and Culture sent a letter dated July 3, 2023, to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association, warning of potential sanctions against any facility that hosted the event.
The letter, signed by the Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi, highlighted concerns that the planned event, named ‘Kiss-a-thon,’ could tarnish the state’s reputation.
“Kiss-a-thon” as an event is not only absurd, immoral, unhealthy, and capable of denigrating the image of Ekiti, it is a program that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and, therefore, capable of plunging our youths morally backward.
“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.
Recall that a chef from Ekiti named Damilola Adeparusi, popularly known as Chef Dammy recently completed a remarkable 120-hour cooking marathon in Ilupeju-Ekiti, located in the Oye Local Government Area of the state.
In a similar vein, Adeola Adeyeye, known as Chef DEO, hailing from Ile-Oluji in the Ondo State region, is currently aiming to set a new record for the longest cooking marathon in the world, targeting an impressive duration of 150 hours.