The management of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, the company that makes Peak Milk, has apologized to the Christian Association of Nigeria for using a metaphor involving Jesus Christ’s crucifixion to advertise their product on Good Friday and stated that the social media advertisement has been taken down.
The organization acknowledged the sensitivity of the social media post “given the seriousness of the season,” but insisted that it was neither meant to minimize the gravity of the occasion nor to overly capitalize on Jesus Christ’s unparalleled sacrifice.
Ore Famurewa, the Executive Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc (Corporate Affairs), expressed regret in a letter to Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President of CAN, dated April 10, 2023, titled, “Apology for the Good Friday social media post by the Peak Brand.
“We hereby reiterate our dedication to upholding all religion laws, practices, and principles while carrying out our unshakable objective of fostering Nigeria.
Please accept our sincere apologies once more, and we promise to stop similar incidents from happening again in the future. Please accept my sincere wishes and guarantees, Famurewa stated.
Joseph Daramola, the General Secretary of WAMCO, provided a statement to The PUNCH in which the organization referred to the advertisement as “insensitive, offensive, and absolutely inappropriate.”
The Christian Action Network (CAN) announced it was considering harsh sanctions against the company, including a Christian boycott of their products, while also cautioning all businesses and organizations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products.
According to the organization, any attempt to minimize or denigrate our beliefs will not be tolerated.
After the advertising, the Christendom has expressed public outrage, labeling it “blasphemous.”
Daramola claimed that the advertising was an insult to the millions of Christians in Nigeria and throughout the world in addition to being insulting to the Christian faith.
“Good Friday is a sorrowful day for Christians around the world as we remember the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who was executed on the cross for our sins,” he had stated. That is not a day to be used for obscene business endeavors.“FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC’s action is not only disrespectful to the Christian faith but also an affront to the millions of Christians in Nigeria and beyond. We are deeply disappointed that a company of such repute would stoop so low to exploit the religious sentiments of its customers for profit.
“We are considering sanctions against FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, including a boycott of their products by our members and all well-meaning Nigerians who share our concerns. We call on the company to issue an unreserved apology to the Christian community and withdraw the offensive advert immediately.
“We are reminded of a similar occurrence when Sterling Bank Plc exploited crucifixion imagery to advertise their goods in the past. Both then and today, we have denounced it.
“As a result, we implore all businesses and organizations to take into account the religious and cultural sensibilities of their clients when marketing their goods. Any attempt to minimize or disrespect our faith will not be accepted. Be on the lookout!”
