The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the title of ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’, a film produced by Nollywood actress Ini Edo, describing it as offensive and insensitive to the Christian faith.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said the title diminishes the deep spiritual meaning of Christmas, a holy season that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolizes purity, peace, love and redemption.
CAN argued that attaching the word “dirty” to Christmas strips the season of its sanctity and turns a solemn religious celebration into what it called a crude and sensational phrase that offends millions of Christians. Archbishop Okoh stressed that Christmas is a sacred observance rooted in values that are central to the Christian faith, adding that using such language shows a lack of respect for those beliefs.
Beyond its religious objections, CAN raised concerns about the approval process that allowed the film’s title to be cleared for public release, especially during the Christmas period. The group called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to clarify how the title passed regulatory review.
The association also appealed to Nollywood professional bodies, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and other industry stakeholders to play a more proactive role in ensuring that religious symbols, themes and sacred seasons are handled with care and respect in creative productions.
While acknowledging the importance of artistic freedom, CAN emphasized that creative expression must be exercised responsibly in a diverse and multi-religious society like Nigeria. It warned that content perceived as disrespectful to faith traditions could fuel divisions and weaken social harmony.
CAN urged the film’s producers and promoters to reconsider the title and issue a public apology, specifically calling on Ini Edo to respond to the concerns raised by the Christian community and show greater sensitivity to religious values. The association further cautioned that trivialising sacred beliefs at a time of moral and social challenges could heighten societal tensions.
Despite its strong stance, CAN reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement, stating that it would continue to speak out whenever the dignity of the Christian faith is threatened in the public sphere.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Ini Edo nor the film’s promoters had released an official response to the statement.
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