Condemnation, Anger As Sterling Bank Compares Jesus With Agege Bread
“Like Agege bread, He rose” reads the bold message on an advertisement sponsored by Sterling Bank for Easter.
This advert sponsored in some print newspapers in Nigeria has, according to checks by Platforms Africa, however attracted condemnation from some Nigerians particularly Christians on Twitter who said that they considered the piece distasteful.
In reactions across most of the social media, they called out Sterling bank, labelling its message as ‘insensitive’, ‘distasteful’, ‘mockery’, and demanding an immediate apology from the bank.
One of them @olajacs tweeted, “Dear Sterling Bank, it is not funny comparing the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the basis for our faith as Christians to Agege bread. That’s so insensitive”.
Another, angry Nigerian Duchess Adedoyin said, “This is such a distasteful mail to receive from Sterling Bank on Easter Sunday.
Controversial Easter advert
“That is a mail that the Bank needs to quickly recall and apologize to everyone that received it. Comparing the resurrection of Jesus to Agege bread…”.
Also, @AbubeGary expressed disapproval at the Sterling Bank’s message, “What a humiliating way to insult our Lord Jesus Christ. An institution like Sterling bank? Pity”
Sodji Adeleke Abraham in his angry tweets called on the Christian associations to take up the matter with the bank. “Christian Association of Nigeria, PFN, and other Christians should take this up. Coming from a bank that practices Islamic banking is totally unacceptable.
“We demand an apology for this mockery.”
Sterling Bank was also getting bashed on Facebook, ” This is the most offensive post and senseless. I got this as an Easter greeting from this bank. Sterling bank you are going down except you respect what should be respected and fear what should be feared…,” said Gold Anuli on her page.
Joshua Falade in a lengthy post also condemned the message from the bank.
Part of the post read, “Like Agege Bread, He Rose: What a Disparage Comparison of Christ’s Resurrection By Sterling Bank!
“The peak of aberration, dumbness, and disparage is Sterling Bank’s cheers about Christ’s resurrection this morning- LIKE AGEGE BREAD, HE ROSE!
“I am disturbed at the depth of ineptitude, shoddiness, and insensitivity of a brand that counts on the patronage of the public, among whom are Christians to keep afloat to make such a grave and dangerous comparison.
“While it is needless to fight on behalf of our own God as Christians and His Son who died for the ransom of the entirety of human race(God can defend Himself), Sterling Bank and motleys of individuals who have reduced Christ’s resurrection to a rise of a dough of bread often raised with yeast and bromide (a substance that is dangerous for consumption)need be reminded that they erred grossly in their comparison. Christ’s resurrection differs greatly from the rising of Agege bread.
“We await SB to atone for her error by withdrawing that wishes with an immediate effect. Making a public apology may be necessary to salvage the damages she has done already to her brand. Other corporate brands may need to learn to avoid stoking an ember of crisis in a country already polarized by religion to avoid making light of some religious tenets that the adherents hold in high esteem.
“Of course, if these wishes were made innocently to some other religions, by now, SB and whosoever make that mistake would be counting their losses. This will be too grave and must be avoided!”
Another Nigerian Tanko Lami also expressed vexation on her page, “Sterling Bank Easter copy said “Like Agege, He rose”
“Whether copy, creative or technical writing, this is an ugly sense of humour laced badly with disrespect to their customer’s faith.
“This is a Bank! A Bank! An industry that is supposed to welcome everyone. Everyone including an imbecile is your customer as long as he can afford to open an account… But you choose to personify Christ to Agege bread.
“Nawaoh if you see the humor, please let me know.” PlatformAfrica
