The Peak Milk manufacturer, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, has come under fire from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over what it deemed an inflammatory Easter advertisement.
Barrister Joseph Daramola, the General Secretary of CAN, demanded in a statement on Monday that the corporation take down the advertisement and apologize to Christians, or else face legal action and a boycott of their products.
The corporation promoted its product in the contentious advertisement by using a metaphor involving Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
“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,” Daramola said.
He said, “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 call on the company to issue an unreserved apology to the Christian community and withdraw the offensive advert immediately.”
He recalled a similar incident in the past when Sterling Bank Plc used crucifixion imagery to promote its product, stating that it condemned it then and now.
Daramola went further to say that “We, therefore, urge all companies and organizations to be mindful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of their customers when promoting their products. We will not tolerate any attempt to trivialize or disrespect our faith. Be warned,".
