The controversy surrounding Ini Edo’s movie Dirty Christmas has taken another turn with Fada Oluoma, a Catholic priest, offering his perspective on the matter. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had earlier called for the film to be pulled down due to its title, which they claimed undermines the Christian faith.

Fada Oluoma’s Stance:

• Challenge, Not Censorship: Fada Oluoma acknowledged that religious bodies like CAN have the right to challenge content that may be deemed offensive to Christianity. However, he stressed that any actions to remove or censor the film should be based on its actual content and not just its title.
• Watch the Movie First: The priest advised CAN to first watch the movie and evaluate its message before taking drastic action. Ini Edo, in her defense, has clarified that the film does not mock Christianity. She invited critics to point out any offensive content within the movie itself, rather than assuming the title is a reflection of the film’s content.
• Significant Investment: Fada Oluoma also pointed out that a considerable amount of resources had gone into the movie’s production, and pulling it down solely due to the title would be unfair without understanding its full context.

Responsibility of Censorship Agencies:

• Official Authority: The priest also clarified that decisions regarding whether a film should be censored or removed fall under the jurisdiction of Nigeria’s official film and censorship agencies, not religious organizations. This aligns with the country’s film classification and censorship rules, which are meant to evaluate content for public consumption.

Criticism of CAN’s Focus:

• Addressing Bigger Issues: While Fada Oluoma acknowledged CAN’s role in defending Christianity, he criticized the organization for not focusing enough on more serious issues affecting the church. He pointed out problems like fake miracles, unverified prophecies, and exploitation by certain church leaders. He believes these challenges are far more damaging to the faith than the title of a movie.

Final Thoughts:

Fada Oluoma’s statement calls for a more nuanced approach to the controversy. Rather than immediately calling for the film’s removal, he suggests that all stakeholders should focus on the substance of the movie and ensure that it adheres to ethical and regulatory standards. He also urged CAN to turn its attention to addressing more pressing internal matters within the Christian community.

The movie controversy continues to spark discussions about the role of religious organizations in influencing entertainment, and how freedom of expression in the film industry intersects with religious sensitivities.