NCGF Calls for Sanctions against Sterling Bank over Offensive Easter Advert

The attention of the Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship(NCGF) has been drawn to the Easter advert, published by Sterling Bank, for its customers and the general public.

The controversial advertorial, was a clear but sad comparison of the reverred resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the rising of ‘Agege bread,’ a pastry, generally ridiculed by many Lagosians, as unhygienic and poorly baked.

This vile comparison is not only, a denigration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the true saviour of the world, but also a very callous and insensitive media publication, capable of causing disaffection in society.

Clearly, the advertorial suggests, surreptitiously, that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, are like the Agege bread, which can neither save, nor transform people, as claimed by Jesus, himself and widely believed by billions of Christians across the globe.

We condemn this advert, in its entirety, and consider it, as a deliberate attack on the affirmation by Jesus Christ, that he is the bread of life.

We are seriously concerned about the overt and covert, impact of the advertorial, on some believers and minors, who may be confused by its subliminal message, about their faith in Christ, largely, because of the far-reaching consequences of the deceptive content and pictorial.

Taking cognizance of the corporate status of Sterling bank, we believe that the bank, should not have entrusted its advertising and public relations program, to an advertising agency, with little or no respect for religious sensitivities and professionalism.

Therefore, without prejudice, to the public apology, offered by the bank, we urge the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) to take appropriate, disciplinary measures, against the bank, in line with, standard practices and ethics.

We also call on the Advertising Practitioners Association of Nigeria (APAN) to take prompt action on this matter.

NCGF has taken this position, to ensure that these measures would serve, as a deterrent to other agencies and corporate organizations.

Additionally, we will liaise, with the apex Christian body, the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), and other sister organizations, on any other appropriate step to take, to avoid a repeat of this type of odious incident.

Philip Nwaegeruo
General Secretary,

Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship(NCGF