The director of Ben O Ben Multimedia, Benedict Ayoola, has described a video making rounds on blogs and social media, where a cleric was dressed in the regalia of a fictional white garment church priest and was seen touching a gender obscenely during a prayer, as a behind-the-scene clip of a movie, ‘Woli Ben O Ben Reloaded’ that is yet to be released.
Ayoola, in a statement he signed and made available to TribuneOnline, refuted claims that the clip is a skit or a real occurrence between a cleric of a white garment church and his members which was believed to be recorded and released for distribution by bloggers.
He noted that the scene, which is a typical representation of the misdemeanours and immoralities recorded across churches was addressed appropriately in subsequent scenes of the movie, but was portrayed in such a unique setting as he believes the story is created in a fictional settings, and no one particular denomination is attacked.
According to Ayoola, “My attention has been drawn to some trending blog posts in which a behind-the-scenes video accompanied some slanderous headlines. The video was taken during the shoot of my film ‘Woli Ben O Ben Reloaded’.
“Woli Ben O Ben Reloaded is the sequel of the hit Woli Ben O Ben, a satirical comedy on the ways of Shepherds that have neglected the purpose of their calling. Woli Ben O Ben started the journey and we plan to further exploit the evil that has crept into the church with its sequel which is currently in production.
“I am Christian and I understand that each denomination has its own doctrine. The film is not intended to disdain any denomination but we did try our best by not identifying with a particular denomination. But we also have to limit some elements of relatability.”
He explained further that the movie, which is still being worked on, aims at adding voice to the public discourse on the need to eschew the prevailing decadences across all Christian groups and denominations in Nigeria and beyond.
He, as well, sought for the cooperation and understanding of the leadership of white garment churches in actualising the motive of the project, thereby apologising to every concerned party that had been offended in one way or the other.
“The video is a very minute slice of the whole picture and the thought processes of the hardworking cast and crew cannot be judged based on this fragment. We are working on a film that will preach the disdain that has cut across every denomination.
“Therefore, I appeal to the good people of the respected Celestial Church of Christ and other white garment churches to temper justice with mercy and understand that we are in no way desecrating the church, instead we are working on sanitation of the household of God like Jesus did in Matthew chapter 21 verse 12,” he added.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then