…withdraws picture, pledges it won’t happen again

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of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product on Good Friday, saying the social media’ advertisement has been withdrawn.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 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 Executive Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc (Corporate Affairs), Ore Famurewa, expressed remorse in a letter to the President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh dated April 10 2023, titled, “Apology for the Good Friday social media post by the Peak Brand”, obtained by the PUNCH on Tuesday morning (4:24 am).

“We hereby restate our commitment to our unwavering mission of nurturing Nigeria while maintaining the respect of all religious laws, tenets and guidelines.

“Once again, please accept our deepest apology and pledge to prevent a reoccurrence of such in the future. Do accept the assurances of my esteemed regards”, Famurewa said.

In a statement made available to The PUNCH by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, WAMCO described the advertisement as “insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable.”

While warning all companies and organisations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products, CAN said it was considering serious sanctions on the firm, including a boycott of their products by Christians.

The organisation said it would not tolerate any attempt to trivialize or disrespect our faith.

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.

“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 recall a similar incident in the past when Sterling Bank Plc used crucifixion imagery to promote their product. We condemned it then, and we condemn it now.

“We, therefore, urge all companies and organisations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products. We will not tolerate any attempt to trivialise or disrespect our faith. Be warned!”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/just-in-peak-milk-apologises-to-can-over-offensive-easter-advert/%3famp

How plz, can anyone explain?.

Serves them right actually
It's good they apologized
Religion should be respected all times, especially in a country like ours where about 48% are Christians, and about 49% are Muslims.
Jesus's being pierced by a nail shouldn't be likened to a nail denting a tin of Peak Milk.

God Bless Nigeria

Lol. Make I talk?

NothingDoMe:
Lol. Make I talk?

Biko talk

These companies always do things like this intentionally for them to trend for some days. But to what end??

They should be grateful that christians are very lenient and kind hearted,..unlike the other people.

DonEd:

Biko talk

It's not going to stop. They do it every Easter.

Okay!
I believe it was a ploy and a marketing strategy to up the demand and supply of their product. You know, people will always take advantage of any occasion to trend either for the positive or negative reasons.

sofeo:
How plz, can anyone explain?.

In Christianity, the piercing and bruising of Jesus that Peak Milk is blaspheming is sacred and the center of our believe and faith.

In the pix there is an image of battered tin milk with nail soaked in milk. That's rubbish and misrepresentation of sacred work of the cross. Good Friday is a moment of sober reflection for Christians and peak is just looking for trouble.

APC suppose apologies to Nigerians for electing druggie as the next president of federal republic of Nigeria

Just 15 person's biko

Forgive 77x7

but when they want to do Muslim advert they will do all the due diligence in the world

They are lucky it's the christian religion

Werey

Dem try.
If some people, pride won't allow them.

Better,
cos the Religion Of Peace Won't take it

Apologies accepted

I dislike mixing religion to your marketing in such way!

You never can know whose horse is gored.

How many of those threatening them dey patronize them self?

Lesson learnt!

Ok

One apology that came late. I just stopped selling it in my store.

Crusaders loading

ayenale1:
Last year easter na Polaris bank they apologize
This year easter na peak milk dem don apologize...them no dey re watch their adverts before throwing it to the public againI don't understand...next year another company will insult again...Christianity na gentle religion o...and the thing dey pain me...

Bia PEAK, be kiaful next time

Better, that is why I love christianity so much we don't take laws into our hands.

Last year easter na Polaris bank they apologize
This year easter na peak milk dem don apologize...them no dey re watch their adverts before throwing it to the public againI don't understand...next year another company will insult again...Christianity na gentle religion o...and the thing dey pain me...

It's good to know that they've apologised for an advert that is perceived as blasphemy... Way to go

Noted.

Even Jesus himself knows that Nigerian way of Christianity blasphemy

What is wrong in an ordinary picture?