ADO-EKITI, South-West, Nigeria – Ekiti State government has placed a ban on the planned three-day kissing marathon to set the Guinness World Record.

A group simply identified as Sugarte scheduled July 7 for the commencement of the longest world kissing marathon in a popular amusement park, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

However, the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in a letter dated July 3, 2023, to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association told the organizers to jettison it’s plan to host the kissing marathon in the state.

The letter signed by a Director in the ministry, Adebanji Adelusi, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, 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-thin 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 youth 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.”

It would be recalled that Damilola Adeparusi popularly called Chef Dammy had, few weeks ago concluded a 120-hour cooking marathon in Ilupeju-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state.

Similarly, another ongoing cooking marathon by one Adeola Adeyeye, identified as Chef DEO in Ile-Oluji, Ondo state is attempting to set a longest world cooking marathon of 150 hours.