The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a forceful condemnation of the upcoming Nollywood film, “A Very Dirty Christmas,” denouncing its title as profoundly offensive to the core tenets of the Christian faith. The influential umbrella body for Christians across Nigeria is now demanding an immediate public apology from the film’s producers, specifically singling out renowned actress and producer Ini Edo, for what it perceives as a blatant trivialization of a deeply sacred religious observance. Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, stated unequivocally that the contentious title undermines values held sacred by millions of devout Christians nationwide, sparking a significant cultural and religious debate within the country’s vibrant entertainment landscape.

Archbishop Okoh meticulously articulated CAN’s theological objections, underscoring that Christmas, a period universally observed to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, embodies fundamental principles of purity, peace, love, and redemption. He passionately emphasized that the direct association of this inherently holy season with the word “dirty” gravely diminishes its profound spiritual meaning and sacred significance. This deliberate linguistic coupling, he argued, risks reducing a solemn religious celebration, observed with reverence by countless individuals, into something crude, sensationalist, and ultimately disrespectful, thereby offending the sensibilities of a significant segment of the Nigerian populace.

Beyond the theological concerns, CAN has pivoted its critique towards the operational integrity and regulatory oversight of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). The Association voiced profound surprise and considerable dismay that a film bearing such an overtly provocative and potentially contentious title could have possibly received official approval for public exhibition. This concern is particularly acute given the film’s intended release coincides precisely with the Christmas season, a time of heightened religious observance. CAN has, therefore, formally called upon the NFVCB to provide an urgent and comprehensive explanation, detailing precisely how the title successfully navigated the official scrutiny and approval processes without adequate consideration for its religious implications.

The Christian body’s appeal extends broadly to professional organizations within Nigeria’s burgeoning Nollywood industry, specifically citing the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and other crucial industry stakeholders. CAN has urged these influential bodies to adopt a firm, principled, and collective stance concerning the responsible portrayal and utilization of religious themes, sacred symbols, and holy seasons within cinematic productions. This call underscores a broader expectation for the Nigerian film industry, a powerful cultural force, to exercise greater foresight, sensitivity, and ethical consideration in its creative outputs, recognizing its profound impact on public perception and inter-faith relations.

While unequivocally affirming its deep-seated respect for the fundamental principles of creative freedom and artistic expression—cornerstones of any vibrant creative industry—CAN has simultaneously asserted that such liberties must be exercised with an equally profound sense of responsibility and cultural sensitivity. This is deemed particularly crucial within Nigeria’s inherently multi-religious, ethnically diverse, and often delicate societal fabric. Archbishop Okoh firmly articulated that the ultimate and commendable goal of creative endeavors should always be to foster mutual understanding, build bridges of unity, and promote harmonious coexistence among citizens, rather than inadvertently provoking division, causing offense, or disrespecting deeply cherished beliefs held by any community.

In its official statement, CAN specifically reiterated its unequivocal demand for the producers and promoters responsible for “A Very Dirty Christmas” to promptly reconsider the film’s controversial title. Furthermore, it insisted on the issuance of a swift and public apology to the Christian community for the perceived slight. The statement notably singled out Ini Edo, a highly recognizable figure in Nollywood, directly urging her to demonstrate exemplary sensitivity and proactively address the significant concerns articulated by the Christian faithful. This direct appeal highlights the expectation for prominent public figures to assume leadership roles in navigating such sensitive matters and fostering inter-communal respect.

The Association further issued a stern warning, contextualizing the film title controversy within Nigeria’s broader national challenges. At a time when the nation is actively grappling with complex moral decay, pervasive social challenges, and the imperative to maintain national cohesion, CAN contended that actions perceived as trivializing sacred values carry a palpable risk. Such acts, the body argued, could inadvertently deepen existing societal divisions, exacerbate tensions, and contribute to the insidious erosion of mutual respect among Nigeria’s diverse citizenry, thereby undermining efforts towards national unity and stability. This broader societal lens elevates the discussion beyond mere artistic expression to one of national consequence.

Despite the strong language and clear condemnation articulated in its statement, CAN reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to peaceful engagement, constructive dialogue, and the pursuit of amicable resolutions. The Association clarified that its vocal stance and readiness to speak out stem directly from its fundamental duty and mandate to uphold and protect the dignity of the Christian faith whenever it perceives that dignity to be undermined, disrespected, or trivialized within the public sphere. This commitment signals CAN’s continued willingness to engage with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to foster understanding and resolve such sensitive cultural and religious issues through dialogue rather than confrontation.

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Keywords: Christian Association of Nigeria, A Very Dirty Christmas film, Ini Edo apology, Nollywood film controversy, NFVCB approval, Christmas film condemnation, Religious sensitivity Nigeria, Artistic freedom debate