The government of Ekiti has implemented a ban on an upcoming event called “Kiss-a-Thon,” a three-day kissing marathon aimed at setting the Guinness World Record in the state.
This decision follows the recent trivialization of Guinness World Records by Nigerians, particularly after Hilda Baci set a new record for the longest individual cooking time.
The Ekiti Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Tourism issued a letter expressing their concerns about the event, stating that it is immoral, absurd, and has the potential to tarnish the state’s image.
The letter, signed by Adelusi A.L on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dele Ogunsemoyin, emphasized that the “Kiss-a-Thon” goes against the values of the state and could have negative moral implications for the youth.
The government further declared that any facility wishing to continue operating legally in Ekiti must not host such events.
The flyer of the event: [File: Native Reporters]
The ministry instructed the Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association to disseminate the notice to its members, urging them to prevent their establishments from being used in a manner that could embarrass the government and people of Ekiti.
A flyer obtained by The Gazette revealed that a group named Sugartee had scheduled the longest kissing marathon to begin on July 7, 2023, at a popular amusement park in Ado, the capital city of Ekiti.
However, the government’s ban prohibits the event from taking place at any facility within the state.
It is worth noting that in 2013, a Thai couple secured the Guinness World Record for the longest kiss, lasting two and a half days.
Ekkachai and Lakasan Tiranarat accomplished this feat, achieving a record of 58 hours, 35 minutes, and 58 seconds during a Valentine’s Day event in Thailand.
