WAMCO apologises to Christians, withdraws offensive Peak Milk social media post
Dutch dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, has withdrawn its ‘insensitive’ social media post and apologised to Christians for its recent Good Friday posts on the Peak Milk brand’s social media handle.
Mrs Ore Famurewa, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Famurewa also apologised to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), pledging that the company would prevent a recurrence of such in the future.
“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“We wish to inform the general public that the social media post has since been withdrawn,” she said.
Famurewa reiterated the company’s commitment to its unwavering mission of nourishing Nigerians while maintaining the utmost respect for all religious laws, tenets, and guidelines.
“We wish to use this opportunity to wish all Christians the very best of the season,” she said.
BRANDPOWER reports that CAN on April 10 faulted an advertisement released on Good Friday by Peak milk, a brand of FrieslandCampina WAMCO.
CAN described the advertisement as “insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable.”
The association alleged that the advert exploited the cruxification of Jesus Christ and was insensitive to the Christian faith.
It warned companies to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products.
In a statement by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, WAMCO described the advertisement as “insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable.”
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!”
