Backlash greets Sterling Bank’s ‘Like Agege Bread, He Rose’ Easter message
Sterling Banks Easter message to its customers has continued to receive backlash across social media over the bank’s comparison on the resurrection of Jesus with Agege bread.
In a message to its customers Sunday morning, Sterling Bank wrote “Like Agege Bread, He Rose”.
Agege bread, is a popular bread in Nigeria, known for its soft, stretchy and chewy texture.
People who have however commented, described the message from Sterling Bank as blasphemous.
“Imagine this blasphemous message from Sterling Bank to customers on Easter day which was retracted cos of outbursts.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,” Dr Amala Odita tweeted.
Dear @Sterling_Bankng, it is very insensitive to compare the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to Agege Bread. You won’t dare this with Islam. Withdraw that message now and apologize,” @RokamoBet also tweeted.
@yourOracle also tweeted, “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.”
What is this religious discrimination done by @Sterling_Bankng This is shameful. All Christians deserve a public unreserved Apology. What non-sense! Can you try this with Islam, without all your buildings razed down and sanction from the government,” @Dannyleads1 also tweeted.
An attempt by the bank to apologise for its actions also got further backlash.
“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,” the bank tweeted, accompanied with another image.
According to Nigerians who commented, the apology looked like a justification for the action.
“Seriously? Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone? And this is suppossed to be some kind of apology ? Who approves these things,” @Oyonyowa1 tweeted.
While @DavidObasa added, “Don’t you have controls around your Corporate Communications? Do messages get out to the public without checks? Is everyone in top management unable to understand the rippling effect of both your message and the ‘apology’ (which sounds more like a justification of wrongdoing)?”
“That line ‘Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone’ wasn’t necessary. It made nonsense of your apology, @garcity also added.
