The Ekiti State Government has announced a ban on the planned three-day kissing marathon to set the Guinness World Record in the state.

This follows the announcement on social media by Sugartee, a musician from Nigeria, that he will be hosting the proposed 72-hour kissing marathon intended to break the current Guinness World from Friday, July 7 to Sunday, July 10.

He was hoping to break the current record of 58 hours, 35 minutes, 58 seconds set by a Thai couple, Ekkachai and Lakasan Tiranarat, in 2022 on Valentine’s Day.

However, the Ekiti government on hearing the news released a statement banning the event calling it absurd, unhealthy and immoral.

The statement signed by the state tourism director, Adebanji Adelusi, noted that allowing the challenge to proceed would denigrate the image of the state.

“It is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and is 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,” parts of the statement read.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the singer Sugartee told Premium Times Nigeria following the ban that he had no intentions of actually hosting the event but only wanted to gain attention with his post.

He explained that previously he had released a song for the state and the government had reacted to it making promises of support but “nothing came out of it.”

Sugartee added that he is thankful for this opportunity which he says has gained him a lot of attention.

“It was all a publicity stunt from the onset. The ban is what is giving people awareness about the name Sugartee right now. At least more people will get to know I’m a good artiste who makes beautiful songs, and that’s a win for me,” he said.