FRIESLANDCAMPINA WAMCO TENDERS APOLOGY TO C.A.N FOR FAITH-SENSITIVE SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERT POST
FrieslandCampina WAMCO hereby tenders its unreserved apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as well as to the Christian community at large for the recent Good Friday post on the Peak brand’s social media handle.
We acknowledge the sensitivity of the social media post considering the sobriety of the season. It was neither intended to make light of the significance of the season nor to inordinately exploit the unmatched sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
We wish to inform the general public that the social media post has since been withdrawn.
We hereby reiterate our commitment to our unwavering mission of nourishing Nigerians while maintaining the utmost respect for all religious laws, tenets, and guidelines.
We use this opportunity to wish all Christians the very best of the season and reaffirm our pledge to prevent a reoccurrence of such in the future.
Signed:
Management, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had on Monday described a recent social media advert by FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak Milk as insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable.
CAN says it is considering sanctions against FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, including a boycott of their products by their members and all well-meaning Nigerians who share our concerns.
It called on the company to issue an unreserved apology to the Christian community and withdraw the offensive advert immediately.
In a statement issued on Monday by its General Secretary, Barr. Joseph Daramola, CAN described Good Friday as a solemn day for Christians all over the world to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ, and not a day to be used for crass commercial purposes.
The statement reads in part, “We find this advert to be insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable. 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 a crucifixion imagery to promote their product. We condemned it then, and we condemn it now.”
The Christian body said it would not tolerate any attempt to disrespect the Christian faith.
