Sterling Bank Plc has been chastised on Twitter for sending an offensive and insensitive Easter message to Nigerians.
“Like Agege Bread, He rose,” the message said, with a photo of bread and the caption “Happy Easter.”
Many people found this offensive, wondering if Sterling Bank was equating bread with Jesus, the reason for the Easter season.
Later, the bank removed the message from its social media pages and replaced it with one that read, “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 new message was accompanied by a flyer that contained an apology which many also found offensive and insincere.
“…let the one who has never sinned cast the first stone. For our recent errors, we sincerely apologise. Forgive us in the spirit of Easter,” the bank wrote.
A Twitter user identified as @Oyoyonwa1 said, “Seriously? Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone? And this is supposed to be some kind of apology? Who approves these things?”
@dinaudoh said, “You need to overhaul your creative department as these Easter posts have been in bad taste, insensitive and rather disturbing. For a bank that claims to care to be about each customer, you shouldn’t disparage any religion or its symbols. DO BETTER!!!”
@NwaezeMma said, “Your apology is not sincere. Try it with other religion and see. Do right.”
@AdaGOkoli wrote, “If this is an apology, then it will not rise with Nigerians.”
@Moolaoye said, “Whoever told you that forgiveness is by arrogance and not by repentance. This is not a message to seek forgiveness but a message to justify! Don’t send a message that you know nothing about. #blaspehemous.”