‘I Am a Christian Too’: Ini Edo Breaks Down in Tears After CAN Threatens to Take Down Her Movie ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ (Video)

• The Christian Association of Nigeria condemned the title of A Very Dirty Christmas as offensive, prompting Nollywood actress Ini Edo to issue a tearful public apology.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the title of the Nollywood movie A Very Dirty Christmas, calling it offensive to the Christian faith and demanding a public apology from the film’s producers, including actress and producer Ini Edo.

In a statement on Wednesday, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of CAN, said the title trivialises the spiritual essence of Christmas and undermines values sacred to millions of Christians across Nigeria.

CAN emphasized that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and embodies purity, peace, love, and redemption. Linking the holy season with the word “dirty,” the association warned, diminishes its spiritual significance.

“Christmas is a sacred season that marks the birth of Jesus Christ and represents purity, peace, love and redemption, and linking such a holy celebration with the word ‘dirty’ diminishes its spiritual meaning and reduces a solemn religious observance to something crude and sensational,” Archbishop Okoh said.

Beyond religious concerns, CAN questioned the regulatory oversight that allowed the film’s title to be approved for public exhibition, especially during the Christmas season. The association called on the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to explain how the title passed scrutiny.

“The Association is concerned that a film bearing such a title passed through regulatory and professional channels without adequate scrutiny. CAN therefore calls on the National Film and Video Censors Board to explain how the title was approved for public exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season,” Archbishop Okoh added.

CAN also urged Nollywood professional bodies, including the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), to take a firm stance on the use of religious themes and symbols that may offend faith communities. While affirming respect for creative freedom, the association stressed that artistic expression must be exercised responsibly in a multi-religious society.

“CAN respects creative freedom and artistic expression, but such freedom must be exercised with responsibility and sensitivity, especially in a religiously diverse society like Nigeria. Creativity should build understanding and unity, not provoke or offend deeply held beliefs,” the CAN President said.

The association specifically called on the film’s producers and promoters to reconsider the title and issue a public apology, singling out Ini Edo to address the concerns of the Christian community.

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“The Christian Association of Nigeria therefore calls on the producers and promoters of the film to reconsider the title, issue a public apology, and take deliberate steps to ensure that religious symbols and sacred seasons are treated with the dignity they deserve. In this regard, CAN calls on the producer, Ini Edo, to show sensitivity and address the concerns raised by the Christian community,” the statement demanded.

Archbishop Okoh also warned that trivializing sacred values during a period of moral and social challenges in Nigeria risks deepening divisions and eroding mutual respect.

“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,” he said.

In response, Ini Edo issued a heartfelt public apology on Instagram Live, breaking down in tears.

“If I had known the title ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ would cause a problem, I would have changed it. CAN, I am sorry. I never meant to insult or disgrace Christians. I am a Christian too,” she said.