The Ekiti State Government has banned a proposed three-day “Kissing Marathon Event” called “Kiss-a-Thon”, scheduled to commence on Friday, July 7, while warning hoteliers’ association in the state against such adventure.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary, Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association and signed by Adelusi A. L, for the Permanent Secretary, Dele Ogunsemoyin, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, the government warned hoteliers’ against such unhealthy and immoral acts in their facilities.
“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 backward,” the statement read.
“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.
“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.”
The organisers had claimed that the event was planned in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest kissing Marathon.
Guinness World Records had recently gained attention in Nigeria after in June, Hilda Baci, a Nigerian chef, won the new record holder for the longest cooking by an individual.
The GWR in a statement on its website, had said, “Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.”
SaharaReporters reports Hilda Baci broke the record previously set by Indian chef, Lata Tondon in 2019.
SaharaReporters in May reported that the GWR said its records team would review the evidence from the cooling marathon before it made the final decision.
After Baci, many other Nigerians had attempted marathon in cooking and body massage, among other activities.