A group called Sugartee had advertised the event around the state and on social media, with the event set to start on July 7 at a popular amusement park in the state capital.
However, the state government, in a letter dated July 3, 2023, from the Ministry of Arts and Culture addressed to the Ekiti State Hoteliers Association, placed a ban on the scheduled kissing marathon. The letter emphasized that any facility that hosts the event would face severe sanctions.
The letter, signed by the Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi, on behalf of the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dele Ogunsemoyin, expressed concerns that the planned event, called ‘Kiss-a-thon,’ had the potential to denigrate the image of the state.
The statement reads in part,
“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.”
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