Peak Milk maker FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc has apologized to the Christian Association of Nigeria for using the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to market their product on Good Friday, stating that the social media advertising has been removed.
Despite admitting the sensitivity of the social media post “given the seriousness of the season,” the organization stated that it was not intended to minimize the significance of the season or to overly exploit Jesus Christ’s unrivaled sacrifice.
Ore Famurewa, Executive Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc (Corporate Affairs), expressed regret in a letter to CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh dated April 10, 2023, headlined “Apology for the Good Friday social media post by the Peak Brand,” acquired by the PUNCH on Tuesday morning (4:24 am).
“We thus reaffirm our steadfast dedication to our unshakeable purpose of fostering Nigeria while upholding all religious laws, precepts, and rules.”
“Once again, please accept our heartfelt apologies and resolve to avoid a recurrence in the future.” “Please accept my sincere greetings,” Famurewa stated.
WAMCO slammed the commercial as “insensitive, disrespectful, and absolutely inappropriate” in a statement provided to The PUNCH by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola.
While encouraging all firms and organizations to be sensitive of their consumers’ religious and cultural sensitivity while advertising their products, CAN stated it was considering significant sanctions against the corporation, including a Christian boycott of their products.
The organization stated that any effort to belittle or denigrate our beliefs will be met with a resounding rebuke.
Since the advertising, there has been a widespread outrage from Christians, who have labeled it “blasphemous.”
Daramola claimed that the advertising was not only insulting to the Christian faith, but also an insult to the millions of Christians in Nigeria and throughout the world.
“Good Friday is a sad day for Christians all around the globe, a day we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was executed on the cross for our sins,” he had stated. It is not a day to be used for obnoxious commercial goals.
“The behavior of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC is not only insulting to the Christian religion, but also an affront to the millions of Christians in Nigeria and across the world.” We are profoundly shocked that a corporation of such renown would sink so low to profit off its clients’ religious sensitivities.
“Our members and other well-meaning Nigerians who share our concerns are considering measures against FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, including a boycott of their products.” We urge the corporation to immediately withdraw the insulting advertisement and deliver an unqualified apology to the Christian community.
“We recall a similar event in the past when Sterling Bank Plc promoted their goods using crucifixion images.” We denounced it then, and we continue to condemn it now.
“As a result, we advise all enterprises and organizations to be careful of their clients’ religious and cultural sensitivities while advertising their products.” Any attempt to trivialize or denigrate our beliefs will not be tolerated. “Be cautious!”
