The proposed three-day kissing marathon tagged ‘Sugartee Kiss-A-Thon’, an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest kissing marathon, has been banned by the Ekiti State Government.
According to a flyer trending on social media, Sugartee’s proposed 72-hour event was planned to hold from July 7-10, 2023 at the Fajuyi Park in Ekiti State, the third GWR attempt from the state in recent times.
The Ekiti State Government however cancelled the upcoming event on moral ground, describing it as absurd and immoral.
Obviously, the recent Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Records feat has inspired many young Nigerians to want to break a world record, as different attempts emerge daily.
The latest attempt is the Kiss-A-Thon, proposed by an upcoming artiste, Sugartee, who had hoped to beat the previous Guinness World Record kiss of 58hrs, 35mins and 58secs set on Valentine’s Day in 2022 by a Thai couple, Ekkachai and Lakasan Tiranarat.
A statement signed by Ekiti State Tourism Director, Mr. Adebanji Adelusi, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Dele Ogunsemoyin, described the proposed event as absurd and immoral.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a planned hosting of ‘Kiss-a- thon’ in Ekiti State. This event is said to be planned towards setting a Guinness World Record.
“‘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.
“Given the preceding, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism prohibits hosting such an event or any other events like it in any facility that wishes to continue to operate lawfully in Ekiti State.
“To the above, you are 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.”
