The Government of Ekiti State has prohibited the organization and hosting of an event called: “Kiss-A-Thon” in the state.
In a letter conveyed through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism to the State chapter of the Hoteliers Association, the government warned against holding such an event.
A flyer obtained by journalists in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday, about the event bears the words “SUGARTEE KISS-A-THON: 3-Day Kissing Marathon Date: July 7th – July 10th. In an effort to break the Guinness World Records for the longest kissing marathon”.
The letter, signed by Mr. Adebanji Adelusi, the state director of tourism, on behalf of the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dele Ogunsemoyin, described such an event as ridiculous and immoral.
The letter reads, “The State Government has been made aware of a planned hosting of a ‘Kiss-a-thon’ in Ekiti State.
“According to information available to this Ministry, Kiss-a-thon, a 3-day kissing marathon event, is scheduled to take place on the 7th of July, 2023 at one of the hospitality establishments in the State.
“This event is purportedly aimed at setting a Guinness World Record. ‘Kiss-a-thon’ as an event is not only absurd, unhealthy, and immoral, but it also has the potential to tarnish the image of the state, as it goes against the values of the people of the state and can lead our youth astray.
“In light of the above, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism hereby prohibits the hosting of such an event or any other similar events in any facility that wishes to continue operating legally in Ekiti State.
“You are hereby requested to convey the content of this notice to the members of the Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association to effectively monitor their establishments to prevent them from being used in a negative manner that could embarrass the Government and People of Ekiti State.”