Former Big Brother Nigeria housemate, Beverly Osu, is no stranger to controversy. And so it’s no surprise that she is getting people talking yet again, due to her recent shoot with Taylor Live Magazine.
Ever since these photos got released online, they have become a hot topic, as people are giving their opinions about whether the photos are artistic or blasphemous.
People like Adaeze Yobo, wife of footballer, Joseph Yobo, see nothing wrong with the photo. Adaeze, commented on the photo on Instagram, stating, “I actually love.”
Similarly, Annie Idibia voiced her support for the photos, stating, “He who is without sin should cast the first stone! Wrong is wrong! Sin is Sin! Too deep a thing to say BF. Let’s remember that is it only God that can/will judge even the priest who raped.”
However, others disagreed with Annie and Adaeze, stating:
There were similar comments that condemned the photos all over social media.
In her defence, Beverly said:
The right to freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights in the Nigerian constitution that also includes freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
But the lines are often blurred as to whether Nigerian creative practitioners have the right to express creativity using religion or religious symbols as a reference point or theme in their creative outputs.
One thing is clear from the way each side received and responded to Beverly’s photos, the debate on creativity, freedom of expression and religious tolerance (or lack of), is far from over.
