The Ekiti State government has stopped the planned three-day kissing marathon billed in the state.

The organisers – Sugartee – had scheduled July 7 to commence the longest world kissing marathon in a famous amusement park in the state capital.

The move by the organisers is an effort to set a Guinness World Record.

However, in a statement, the state government declared that any facility used to host the event would be severely sanctioned.

The Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi, signed the statement on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dele Ogunsemoyin.

According to the government, the planned event tagged ‘Kiss-a-thon ‘could denigrate the state’s image.

The statement reads:

“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.

“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.

“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.”