CAN Wants Sterling Bank MD Removed Over “Provocative, Insensitive” Easter Advert

The Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday took a swipe at the Sterling Bank over its Easter adverts where it allegedly compared the resurrection of Jesus Christ to ‘Agege Bread.’
The association called for the immediate removal of the bank boss citing his alleged religious bias as the reason for the release of the Easter advert that denigrated Jesus.
CAN said the advertisement is “ungodly, wicked, insensitive,”
The association said the bank deliberately provoked Christians with the copy adding that in case the management of the Sterling Bank is not aware, “the resurrection of Jesus witnesses to the immense power of God Himself.”
CAN in its statement signed by the National Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, said, “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 advised Christians to be wary of the banks and other financial institutions they are patronising.”
CAN further said, “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.
“In the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, God put our punishment on Christ so that we could be justified before Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The resurrection of Jesus confirms that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross and gives us access to a right relationship with Him.
“The Empty tomb shows the supremacy of Jesus. Go to the grave of any other religious founder and his carcasses are still there being worship, but where Jesus was buried, it is boldly written; “He is no longer here, He has Risen”! That is what we are celebrating at Easter and for Sterling Bank to compare it with a loaf of bread is blasphemous and insensitive to the religion embraced by billions of people globally. The advertisement was provocative but we will refused to be provoked simply not only because it is not in our characters but it came from an uninformed mind of neither of the two leading religions in the country.
“In the words of Pastor Adrian Rogers, “The resurrection is not merely important to the historic Christian faith; without it, there would be no Christianity. It is the singular doctrine that elevates Christianity above all other world religions.”
The umbrella body of Christians said it has learnt that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has intervened in the matter with a view to imposing some sanctions against Sterling Bank.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) 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.”