Peak Milk, a popular brand of milk produced by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, has issued an apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for using the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product on Good Friday.
The social media advertisement was withdrawn by the company following an outcry from Christendom, which described it as blasphemous.
The Executive Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc (Corporate Affairs), Ore Famurewa, expressed remorse in a letter to the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, acknowledging the sensitivity of the social media post “considering the sobriety of the season.”
Famurewa reiterated the company’s commitment to its mission of nurturing Nigeria while maintaining respect for all religious laws, tenets, and guidelines.
CAN, in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, described the advertisement as “insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable.”
The organisation warned all companies and organisations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products.
CAN further warned that it was considering serious sanctions against the firm, including a boycott of their products by Christians.
Daramola said that the advertisement was not only disrespectful to the Christian faith but also an affront to the millions of Christians in Nigeria and beyond.
He added that Good Friday is a solemn day for Christians all over the world, a day they commemorate the death of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the cross for their sins. He further stated that it was not a day to be used for crass commercial purposes.
CAN called on the company to issue an unreserved apology to the Christian community and withdraw the offensive advert immediately.
The organisation also recalled a similar incident in the past when Sterling Bank Plc used bread to depict the Resurrection.
CAN condemned the use of religious imagery to promote products and urged all companies and organisations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
