"The organisation said it was neither intended to make light of the significance of the season nor to inordinately exploit the unmatched sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
The management of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, manufacturers of Peak Milk, has apologised to the Christian Association of Nigeria for using the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product on Good Friday, saying the social media’ advertisement has been withdrawn.While acknowledging the sensitivity of the social media post
"considering the sobriety of the season," the organisation stated
that it was not intended to minimise the significance of the season or to
overly exploit Jesus Christ's unrivalled 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, titled "Apology for the Good
Friday social media post by the Peak Brand.”
“We hereby reaffirm our unwavering commitment to nurturing
Nigeria while upholding all religious laws, tenets, and guidelines.
"Once again, please accept our heartfelt apologies and
pledge to avoid a recurrence in the future. Please accept my sincere greetings,"
Famurewa said.
CAN had described the Peak Milk advertisement as
"insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable" in a statement by
its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola.
While warning all companies and organisations to be mindful
of their customers' religious and cultural sensitivities when promoting their
products, CAN had said it was considering serious sanctions against the firm,
including a Christian boycott of their products.
The Christian organisation had stated that any attempt to
trivialise or disrespect the Gospel faith would be met with a resounding
rebuke.
Since the advertisement, there had been a public outcry
among Christendom which described it as “blasphemous.”
Daramola said the advertisement was not only disrespectful
to the Christian faith but also an affront to the millions of Christians in
Nigeria and beyond.
He had said, “Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians all
over the world, a day we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, who was crucified on the cross for our sins. It is not a day to be used
for crass commercial purposes.
“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.”