The Christian Association of Nigeria has demanded the
sacking of the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman,
over a controversial Easter advert.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the National Publicity
Secretary, Joseph Daramola, CAN stated that the advert was “wicked and
insensisitve” towards Christians.
Sterling Bank faced backlash after the company published its
Easter message, which compared the resurrection of Jesus to Agege bread.
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 the 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.”
After the backlash, Sterling Bank
apologised for the error with another message, which called for forgiveness,
but also received negative comments.
The Advertising Practitioners
Council of Nigeria, in a statement signed by its Registrar and Chief Executive,
Olalekan Fadolapo, said the body would punish Sterling Bank for posting what it
described as an offensive and provocative advert.
CAN advised Christians to be wary of the banks they
patronise, insisting that Suleiman and the Management of the bank showed
“hostility and hatred” for the Christian faith.
“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 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,” the stated further read.
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