The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has formally expressed strong disapproval of Nollywood actress Ini Edo over her recently released Christmas-themed movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, citing the film’s title as deeply offensive and insensitive to Christian beliefs and values. The association emphasized that the title undermines the sacredness of the Christmas celebration, which holds profound spiritual significance for Christians worldwide, including in Nigeria.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, December 17, and signed by the CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the organization outlined its concerns, describing the choice of the word “dirty” in conjunction with Christmas as inappropriate, disrespectful, and potentially harmful to the perception of the holy season. The statement highlighted the delicate nature of religious observances and the need for filmmakers to consider societal sensitivities when titling works that reference faith-based celebrations.
Christmas: A Sacred Season
CAN underscored that Christmas is not merely a festive period but a deeply spiritual season for Christians, marking the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolizing purity, peace, love, and redemption. The association argued that by using the term “dirty” in the movie title, the spiritual sanctity of Christmas is compromised, and the celebration is reduced to something crude and sensational, which they say could mislead audiences or provoke unnecessary controversy.
The statement reads in part: “The Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply troubled by the title of the movie: ‘A Very Dirty Christmas,’ which it considers offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith. 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.”
Balancing Creativity with Responsibility
While acknowledging that artists have the right to creative expression, CAN stressed that such freedom carries responsibilities, particularly in a religiously diverse society like Nigeria. The organization noted that artistic endeavors should foster understanding, harmony, and unity, rather than offend or alienate communities based on their deeply held beliefs.
The statement emphasized: “Creativity should build understanding and unity, not offend deeply held beliefs. Filmmakers, especially those working with religious themes, must exercise discretion and sensitivity to prevent unnecessary social tension.”
Concerns Over Regulatory Oversight
CAN raised questions about how the movie passed through the usual regulatory approval processes without raising concerns, questioning the role of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in approving the film for public exhibition. The association urged the NFVCB to provide clarity on the approval process and ensure that films released during sensitive religious seasons undergo careful scrutiny.
Call to Nollywood Industry Stakeholders
In addition to addressing the regulatory bodies, CAN also appealed to Nollywood stakeholders, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and other industry leaders, to take a definitive stance on the depiction of religious themes, symbols, and holidays in films. The association insisted that industry players have a responsibility to promote films that respect religious sentiments and do not incite social division.
[h2]Demand for Apology and Title ReviewCAN specifically called on Ini Edo, the producer of the movie, to reconsider the choice of the title and issue a public apology to Christians, emphasizing that failure to address the concerns raised could aggravate existing moral and social tensions in the country. The organization warned that trivializing sacred values in entertainment content could erode mutual respect and worsen social divides.
“At a time when the nation is already facing serious moral and social challenges, actions that trivialize sacred values only deepen division and erode mutual respect,” the statement added, urging all parties involved in the production, approval, and promotion of the film to act responsibly and consider the broader societal implications of their choices.
CAN concluded its statement by reiterating the importance of protecting the sanctity of religious celebrations and encouraging filmmakers to balance creativity with respect for faith communities, calling for dialogue, sensitivity, and accountability within the Nigerian film industry.