The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed displeasure and described as “deliberate provocative and insensitive” the advertisement by Sterling Bank Plc in comparing the resurrection of Jesus Christ to Agege bread an Easter advert by the bank to its Christian customers.
An advert by the bank, with the copy text: “Like Agege bread, He rose again” had attracted the outrage of Nigerians who queried the rationale behind the advert.
In a statement on Monday signed by Joseph Bade Daramola, CAN National Secretary and made available to journalists on Wednesday, calls on Christian bodies to be wary of banks and other financial institutions they patronise, adding that the advertisement was insulting, ridiculous and a mockery of Jesus Christ.
The statement in part read: “In case the management of the Sterling Bank is not aware, the resurrection of Jesus witnesses the immense power of God Himself.
“The advertisement was provocative but we will refuse to be provoked simply not only because it is not in our characters but it came from an uninformed mind of neither of the two leading religions in the country.
“The purported apology did not come from a penitent heart. How can someone in his right mind described the risen Christ as a loaf of bread.
“That is insulting, ridiculous and a mockery of Jesus Christ. We advised Christians to be wary of the banks and other financial institutions they are patronising.
“We learnt that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has reportedly intervened in the matter with a view to impose some sanctions against Sterling Bank. The Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) is waiting for the decision of the organisation.
“However, in the interim, we call for the immediate removal of the Chief Executive of Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Suleiman with his management whose actions have clearly shown their hostility and hatred for the Christian faith.
“We call on all Christians not to take the law into their hands in seeking redress, but to let the relevant authorities handle the matter”
