The Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN, has criticised the title of a newly released movie by Nollywood actress and producer, Ini Edo, A Very Dirty Christmas, describing it as disrespectful to the Christian faith and a trivialisation of the sacred significance of the Christmas season.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the title undermines values held sacred by millions of Christians, stressing that Christmas symbolises the birth of Jesus Christ and embodies purity, peace, love and redemption.
He warned that attaching the word “dirty” to such a holy season diminishes its spiritual significance and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational.
“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love and redemption.
Linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational,” Okoh said.
Beyond its religious concerns, CAN questioned the regulatory process that allowed the film’s title to be approved for public exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season.
The Association expressed surprise that the title passed through official and professional scrutiny without objection.
It called on the National Film and Video Censors Board to clarify how the film received approval, urging the body to be more sensitive when dealing with religious themes and sacred seasons.
“The Association is concerned that a film bearing such a title passed through regulatory and professional channels without adequate scrutiny.
CAN therefore calls on the National Film and Video Censors Board to explain how the title was approved for public exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season,” the statement said.
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CAN also appealed to Nollywood professional bodies, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria and other industry stakeholders, to take a clear stand on the use of religious symbols and themes in ways that may offend faith communities.
While acknowledging the importance of creative freedom and artistic expression, the Association stressed that such freedom must be exercised responsibly, especially in a multi-religious society like Nigeria.
“CAN respects creative freedom and artistic expression, but such freedom must be exercised with responsibility and sensitivity, especially in a religiously diverse society like Nigeria. Creativity should build understanding and unity, not provoke or offend deeply held beliefs,” Okoh said.
The Christian body specifically called on the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title and issue a public apology.
It named Nollywood actress and producer Ini Edo, urging her to address the concerns raised by the Christian community.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria therefore calls on the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title, issue a public apology, and take deliberate steps to ensure that religious symbols and sacred seasons are treated with the dignity they deserve.
In this regard, CAN calls on the producer, Ini Edo, to show sensitivity and address the concerns raised by the Christian community,” the statement said.
CAN warned that at a time when Nigeria is grappling with serious moral and social challenges, actions that trivialise sacred values risk deepening divisions and eroding mutual respect among citizens.
Despite its strong stance, the Association reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement, adding that it would continue to speak out whenever the dignity of the Christian faith is undermined in the public space.
Vanguard News
