The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) says it will sanction Sterling Bank over a controversial Easter ad likening the resurrection of Jesus Christ to Agege Bread.
The advertising industry regulator announced this in a statement issued by Olalekan Fadolapo, its registrar/chief executive.
In celebration of Easter, Sterling Bank had posted an Easter ad on social media platforms and also sent its customers via email.
The message contained a picture of a golden-brown bread divided into two with the caption ‘Like Agege Bread, He Rose!”
Agege bread is a popular Nigerian bread known for its soft, stretchy and chewy texture.
The post sparked public criticism from Nigerians who expressed their outrage online.
Many chided the bank for diminishing the essence of Easter, while some found the post funny.
Dr Amala Odita @amalaodita tweeted: “Imagine this blasphemous message from Sterling bank to customers on Easter day which was retracted cos of outbursts. This is distasteful & an outright mockery of our risen Lord – Jesus Christ the saviour of the world. It is reprehensible and condemnable in every sense of the word”.
Orakle.eth @yourOrakle said: “I’m not one of those overly religious peeps here but I think this Easter message from Sterling Bank is quite insensitive and should be deleted and an apology sent to those who care”.
The bank reacted to the outcry by pulling down the banner on its social media page, replacing it with another banner and tendered an apology.
Text on the new banner reads: “…Let he who has never sin cast the first stone.” For our recent error, we sincerely apologise. Forgive us in the spirit of Easter!”
The bank added: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
“We humbly celebrate His resurrection, the defeat of death and the hope of salvation.”
