The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the title of the Nollywood movie A Very Dirty Christmas, calling it disrespectful and offensive to the Christian faith.
In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said Christmas is a sacred celebration that honours the birth of Jesus Christ, symbolising love, peace, purity, and redemption.
CAN argued that connecting the holiday with the word “dirty” undermines its spiritual significance, reducing a revered religious observance to something crude and sensational.
While recognising the importance of artistic freedom, CAN emphasised that such liberty must be exercised responsibly and with sensitivity, particularly in a country with a diverse religious landscape. “Creativity should build understanding and unity, not provoke or offend deeply held beliefs,” the statement read.
The body also raised concerns that the controversial film title was approved without sufficient review by regulatory and professional authorities. CAN 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.”
Further, the association urged Nollywood stakeholders, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), to take a clear stance on the use of religious symbols and themes in ways that could offend faith communities.
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Prompt News reports CAN also appealed to the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title, issue a public apology, and ensure that sacred seasons and religious symbols are treated with the respect they deserve. The body specifically called on 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,” the association concluded.
