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WAMCO Apologises to CAN Amid Condemnation over ‘Insensitive’ Easter Advert

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By Eric Elezuo

Amid wide spread condemnations and knocks following a Good Friday social media posts, using the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as a metaphor to promote their product, the management of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, manufacturers of Peak Milk, has tendered an unreserved apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria, confirming that the said social media’ advertisement has been withdrawn.

In a statement made available to this medium by the Media Executive, Kunle Hamilton, the organisation said the post was neither intended to make light of the significance of the season nor to inordinately exploit the unmatched sacrifice of Jesus Christ” and acknowledged the sensitivity of the social media post with regards to the “the sobriety of the season,”

It also insisted that such an act would never happen again.

The statement reads: “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“We wish to inform the general public that the social media post has since been withdrawn.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.

Earlier, CAN had released a statement by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, in condemnation of the said post, describing the advertisement as “insensitive, offensive, and totally unacceptable” while recalling a similar incident which happened last year by Sterling Bank.

The statement read in part: “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!”

Since the advertisement, there had been a public outcry among Christendom which described it as “blasphemous.”

“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,” the statement added.

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INEC Rejects N40bn Allocation, Proposes to Spend N126bn in 2025

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the sum of N126 billion for its 2025 budget.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made the presentation while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly on Friday.

He pleaded with the National Assembly to approve the 2025 budget, which is nearly three times the size approved last year.

“Our proposal for 2025; the Commission requires the sum of N126 billion. So, we will like the support of the National Assembly members to ensure that we are adequately funded for the responsibilities we are required to discharge, and most of these responsibilities are constitutional, they are not just in the Electoral Act,” Prof Yakubu said.

Prof Yakubu expressed concerns over the high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria, describing it as exorbitant and burdensome.

He highlighted that despite INEC being one of the largest employers in the country, it operated on a reduced budget of N40 billion last year, significantly lower than the N80 billion initially requested.

He emphasized the financial strain this has placed on the commission’s ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

In a bid to address these challenges, he appealed to the lawmakers to organize a retreat where both the legislature and INEC can collaborate, exchange ideas, and find solutions to the pressing issues affecting the electoral process in Nigeria.

“We need a major conversation, the commission cannot continue conducting election all year round,” he said.

The INEC Chair further lamented the deteriorating state of INEC’s facilities, particularly the 860 buildings across the country, which are in urgent need of repair.

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Rivers: Court Grants Fubara Power to Run State with Three Lawmakers, Okays Budget Presentation

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A Rivers State High Court has ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is legally empowered to transact business with the three lawmakers who have not vacated their seats in the State House of Assembly.

Justice Sika Aprioku said this in his judgment on December 20, 2024, while dismissing a suit seeking to compel the governor to represent the 2024 budget to the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly.

The said suit marked PHC/3552/CS/2024 was filed by the Registered Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners and had the Government of Rivers State, the governor of Rivers State, and the Attorney General of the State as defendants. It sought to compel the governor to represent the 2024 budget to the 27 lawmakers led by Amaewhule for passage into law.

After considering the arguments from the different counsels, Justice Aprioku ruled that Governor Fubara could transact business with the members who did not vacate their seats.

“Therefore, the same way His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, presented Budgets and financial Bills with only six members when the numbers were less than two third 2/3 of the 32 Members, so shall His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State be constitutionally guided to interface, and approach the properly constituted House of Assembly led by Oko-Jumbo, to carry on the business of the state and until the 27 lawmakers who defected and lost their seats, approaches the court, for a redemption or INEC conducts another election to the seats vacated by the 27 lawmakers upon their defection,” the court said.

“In sum, until the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the issue of jurisdiction which affects the status of the 27 lawmakers, it is only those who did not vacate their seats, the Governor can constitutionally approach to the present budget, appoint chief judges and president, customary court; also screen commissioners, including the attorney general and make board appointments.

“That the claimant’s claim seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs for the re-presentation of the 2024 Budget to the former 27 lawmakers, who defected and automatically vacated their seats, lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.

“That this suit be and is hereby dismissed, with cost in the sum of N500,000.00, awarded in favour of the defendants and against the claimant.”

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Tinubu Concludes One Day Visit to Enugu, Promises to Complete Eastern Rail Line

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President Bola Tinubu promised on Saturday that his administration would complete the Eastern Rail line connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri in Borno State.

Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the assurance at an interactive session with South-East leaders in Enugu.

The president was in Enugu State on a one day visit, where he commissioned projects undertaken by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

He also pledged that his administration would support the development of the Anambra Basin as a significant energy reserve.

The basin is estimated to hold up to 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.

Tinubu said: “On the support of the gas infrastructure. Sure, gas is an alternative to petrol. There is no wasting of time than to invest more in it. We will do it together, and I am lucky I have good governors.”

He praised Governor Mbah for his development model and philosophy after inaugurating several projects executed by the state government.

He said the Federal Government would continue to support Enugu and other states in their development efforts.

Among the projects inaugurated by the president were the GTC Smart Green School; New Haven/Bisalla Road, the International Conference Center, the Command-and-Control Center, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras.

President Tinubu also performed the virtual commissioning of other notable projects from the Enugu State Government House.

At the inauguration of the Command-and-Control Center, he said investment in security would bring rapid development.

“This is a profound demonstration of what we can do together. It reassures me that more revenue going to the sub-nationals and local government is not a waste. It is for development.

“We have committed leaders like Peter Mbah taking Enugu on the path of 21st-century development, taking Enugu to greater heights, and building our tomorrow today.

“I don’t care which party you come from; you are my friend. Alex Otti of Abia State is also doing very well. It is not about the differences in languages and place of birth.

“No one of us has control of the mother tongue. God created us, and you can find yourself in Enugu, Onitsha or Lagos.

“We are all members of one huge family called Nigeria. But we live in different rooms in the same house.

“We must build this house to satisfy our immediate and future needs,” President Tinubu added.

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