The Christian Association of Nigeria has called for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman while describing the Easter Advert of the bank as provocative.
Sterling Bank had issued an advert on Easter Sunday purportedly wishing its customers a happy easter while comparing the resurrection of Jesus to “Agege” Bread.
CAN in a one-page statement signed by Its National Secretary, Barr. Bade Daramola described the advert as a “wicked, insensitive and deliberately provocative advertisement of the Sterling Bank”
It called for the immediate removal of the Chief Executive of the Bank; Mr. Abubakar Suleiman with his Management whose actions according to CAN have “clearly shown their hostility and hatred for the Christian faith.”
It however called on all Christians not to take the law into their hands in seeking redress, but to let the relevant authorities handle the matter.
What resurrection is all about
CAN went on to educate the bank on what resurrection meant for the Christians.
It states, “In case the management of the Sterling Bank is not aware, the resurrection of Jesus witnesses to the immense power of God Himself.
“To believe in the resurrection is to believe in God. If God exists, and if He created the universe and has power over it, then He has the power to raise the dead. If He does not have such power, He is not worthy of our faith and worship.
“Only He who created life can resurrect it after death, only He can reverse the mystery that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting and gain the victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54–55). In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.
“In the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, God put our punishment on Christ so that we could be justified before Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The resurrection of Jesus confirms that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross and gives us access to a right relationship with Him.
“The Empty tomb shows the supremacy of Jesus. Go to the grave of any other religious founder and his carcasses are still there being worshiped, but where Jesus was buried, it is boldly written; “He is no longer here, He has Risen”! That is what we are celebrating at Easter”
CAN said stated further that “for Sterling Bank to compare Jesus’ resurrection with a loaf of bread is blasphemous and insensitive to the religion embraced by billions of people globally. The advertisement was provocative”
The Christian organisation however said it would not be provoked by the action of the bank because it is not in its character and that the action of the bank came from an uninformed mind.
No Christianity without resurrection
Quoting Pastor Adrian Rogers, CAN states, “The resurrection is not merely important to the historic Christian faith; without it, there would be no Christianity. It is the singular doctrine that elevates Christianity above all other world religions.”
CAN noted that the purported apology of the bank did not come from a penitent heart. “How can someone in his right mind describe the risen Christ as a loaf of bread? That is insulting, ridiculous and a mockery of Jesus Christ.” the statement read.
The organisation then advised Christians to be wary of the banks and other financial institutions they are patronising. “We learnt that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has reportedly intervened in the matter with a view to imposing some sanctions against Sterling Bank. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is waiting for the decision of the organisation.” CAN states.
