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apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria, confirming that the said social media’ advertisement has been withdrawn.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“We wish to inform the general public that the social media post has since been withdrawn.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.

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.