- The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has backed actress and film producer Ini Edo amid criticism.
- The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by Archbishop Daniel Oko, has criticized Edo’s film “Dirty Christmas”.
- CAN said the film’s title was offensive to Christian values.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has defended actress and film producer Ini Edo after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) criticized her for her film Dirty Christmas.
CAN, led by CAN chairman Archbishop Daniel Okoh, had earlier described the film’s title as offensive to Christian values, arguing that it did not properly reflect the sacred nature of Christmas.
The comments sparked widespread discussions about the boundaries of religion, creative expression and the entertainment industry.
Shaibu Husseini, director-general of the National Film and Video Censorship Board (NFVCB), confirmed that “Dirty Christmas” complied with all legal and regulatory requirements before the title was approved. However, he also encouraged Ini Edo to consider changing the title to address the concerns raised by CAN.
In response, Ini Edo called on the board not to withdraw the film and expressed a willingness to make adjustments if necessary. This initially helped to ease tensions until AGN issued a formal statement.
The association, signed by national president Ejezie Rollas, described the film as a metaphorical work of art. It called on CAN to evaluate the film based on its complete content, rather than judging it solely on its title.
The statement emphasized that Ini Edo is a devout Christian and she values her faith very much. It emphasizes that her intention was not to disrespect Christianity but to depict real-life experiences that often occur during the holiday season.
Part of the AGN statement reads:
“It would be more constructive to evaluate the film through a comprehensive review of its content rather than focusing solely on the title.”
The association noted that the title was not insulting to Christianity but reflected the complex realities sometimes associated with Christmas, rather than mocking faith or doctrine. AGN also noted that Christian denominations may interpret Christmas differently, emphasizing that the experience of the holiday is not uniform.
In addition, the association defended the NFVCB, stressing that the board operates within a legal framework designed to balance ethical sensitivity with creative freedom.
The statement concluded:
“Watching the film in its entirety confirms that it does not contain scenes or narratives that mock, belittle or undermine Christianity.”
