Following a controversial Easter advert where Sterling Bank compared Jesus’ Resurrection to Agege bread, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the sack of the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar Suleiman.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the association’s National Secretary, Joseph Daramola, CAN described the advert as “ungodly and deliberately provocative”.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria has been drawn to an ungodly, wicked, insensitive and deliberately provocative advertisement of Sterling Bank, comparing the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to ‘Agege bread’ amidst the Easter celebration.
“In case the management of Sterling Bank is not aware, the Resurrection of Jesus witnesses to the immense power of God Himself. To believe in the Resurrection is to believe in God. If God exists, and if He created the universe and has power over it, then He has power to raise the dead. If He does not have such power, He is not worthy of our faith and worship.
“Only He who created life can resurrect it after death; only He can reverse the mystery that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting and gain the victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54–55). In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.”
It will be recalled that the advert received a lot of backlash from members of the public which necessitated the bank to tender an apology. The apology of the bank was also criticized.
It is pertinent to note that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, in a statement signed by its Registrar and Chief Executive, Olalekan Fadolapo, said the body would discipline Sterling Bank for posting what it described as an offensive and provocative advert.
While reacting to the apology from the bank, CAN said, “The purported apology did not come from a penitent heart. How can someone in his right mind describe the risen Christ as a loaf of bread. That is insulting, ridiculous and a mockery of Jesus Christ. We advise Christians to be wary of the banks and other financial institutions they are patronising.
“We learnt that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria has reportedly intervened in the matter with a view to impose some sanctions against Sterling Bank. The Christian Association of Nigeria 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.”
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