Ini Edo’s film, Dirty Christmas, sparks row, CAN frowns, seeks public apology

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has registered its discontent with the title of a recent movie, “Dirty Christmas” produced by Ini Edo.

CAN said it considers the movie title offensive and disrespectful to the Christian faith and demanded that it should be quickly changed by the producer and the supervisory authorities.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, yesterday, specifically called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to explain how the title was approved for public exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season.

He said the Association was concerned that a film bearing such a title could pass through regulatory and professional channels without adequate scrutiny.

He said: “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.

“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,” CAN President said.

He, therefore, called 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 were 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. At a time when the nation is already facing serious moral and social challenges, actions that trivialise sacred values only deepen division and erode mutual respect,” he said.

He said that CAN remains committed to peaceful engagement but would continue to speak out whenever the dignity of the Christian faith was undermined in the public space.