The Ekiti State Government has issued a notice prohibiting the organisers of a proposed kiss-a-thon in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, from going ahead with the ‘immoral’ event.
The kiss-a-thon, aimed at setting a new Guinness World Records, GWR, for the longest kissing marathon category, was slated to begin on 7 July 2023 and end on July 10.
However, as the organisers of the event was gearing up to bring the trophy home, the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led government issued a stern warning to the State’s hoteliers association against being privy to “such event or any other event like it.”
A letter by Adelusi A. L, on behalf of Dele Ogunsemoyin, the permanent secretary for the State’s Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and addressed to the Secretary of the Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association described the event in pejorative terms.
“‘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,” the letter stated.
“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.”
Adelusi further directed the Secretary 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.”
