The Christian Association of Nigeria has demanded a public apology from the Federal Inland Revenue Service over an Easter advert which the Christian body said it deemed offensive.

The FIRS, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, #FIRSNigeria, had shared a picture of a Point of Sale machine with the caption, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.”

The post had elicited reactions from Nigerians, particularly Christians, who condemned the post.

Although the post has been taken down, CAN’s National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, in a statement on Tuesday, called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of the incident and guide the FIRS in adhering to only messages that promote unity and peace.


The statement read in part, “In the light of recent events, we call upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.

“We also urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of this incident and to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion.

“As a nation that prides itself on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, we are deeply concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays. This year, a public institution, which should be the bastion of exemplary conduct, has been implicated in disseminating content that is widely regarded as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.


“The Easter period, a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivialises or mocks core religious beliefs. Religious convictions are at the heart of our identity and deserve the utmost respect.

“The analogy drawn by the FIRS between the pivotal Christian doctrine of redemption, and the civic duty of tax payment has been received with distress and indignation by the Christian community.”

The association advised all public and private organisations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of the society.

It said communications, especially from public institutions, should be crafted with a clear understanding of the cultural and religious tapestry that defines the nation.

Donaldoni:
Supported...
Some things are too sacred to be toyed with

A statement signed by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser, Media to the FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji conveyed the Service’s “unreserved apologies for this misinterpretation.”

The FIRS spokesperson’s statement reads in full: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about a flier posted on our social media platforms with the headline ‘Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.’ As a responsible agency of government, we would like to say we did not put out the flier purposely to denigrate Jesus Christ or detract from the huge sacrifice He made for humanity. We are acutely aware that the essence of the Easter period is to celebrate this huge sacrifice.

“The message was our way of uniquely engaging taxpayers and to remind them of the need to prioritise payment of their taxes as a civic obligation. Yes, we would say the message ruffled feathers in some circles. The unintended meaning/insinuation being read into the post was not what we were out to communicate as an agency.

“Good a thing, this much is acknowledged by CAN in its statement wherein it said ‘We recognise that the intended message may have been to creatively engage taxpayers…’ We wish to offer our unreserved apologies for this misinterpretation.

“FIRS, as a responsible agency, has no religion and will not bring down any religion or offend the sensibilities of adherents of various faiths in the country. Our goal is to assess, collect and account for revenue for the wellbeing of the Federation. We believe it is an investment in the progress of the country when citizens pay their taxes. Once again, we wish to apologise to CAN and Christians who felt offended at the unintended consequence of our message on Easter Sunday,” Mr Adekanmbi stated.

Ofunaofu:

The Christian Association of Nigeria has demanded a public apology from the Federal Inland Revenue Service over an Easter advert which the Christian body said it deemed offensive.

The FIRS, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, #FIRSNigeria, had shared a picture of a Point of Sale machine with the caption, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.”

The post had elicited reactions from Nigerians, particularly Christians, who condemned the post.

Although the post has been taken down, CAN’s National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, in a statement on Tuesday, called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of the incident and guide the FIRS in adhering to only messages that promote unity and peace.


The statement read in part, “In the light of recent events, we call upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.

“We also urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of this incident and to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion.

“As a nation that prides itself on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, we are deeply concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays. This year, a public institution, which should be the bastion of exemplary conduct, has been implicated in disseminating content that is widely regarded as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.


“The Easter period, a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivialises or mocks core religious beliefs. Religious convictions are at the heart of our identity and deserve the utmost respect.

“The analogy drawn by the FIRS between the pivotal Christian doctrine of redemption, and the civic duty of tax payment has been received with distress and indignation by the Christian community.”

The association advised all public and private organisations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of the society.

It said communications, especially from public institutions, should be crafted with a clear understanding of the cultural and religious tapestry that defines the nation.

https://punchng.com/your-easter-message-provocative-can-demands-apology-from-firs/?amp

illicit:
CAN no get sense of humour

helinues:
CAN beer or CAN coke?

Imagine this religious people, they don't even want people to get off the chains they have been hooked with all in the name of religion.

I am still wondering who made the senseless law of religious group being exempted from paying taxes, this people are raking billions of Naira annually yet ordinary tithes refund for those who have been paying, they won't give

Those who forced this same religion on us have moved on but we are still stuck here in Africa.

Nothing to dispute about religion, na pure scam

https://www.nairaland.com/8035838/tax-vs-tithes-sakkat

faceland:


The tax that we have been paying, what has it done for this country and you?

You want government to be raiding church services or issuing receipt while giving offering?

Even this greetings is frustration that they can't take part in robbing believers. They should go an tax bandits.

Donaldoni:
Supported...
Some things are too sacred to be toyed with

faceland:


It doesn't even look like a greeting, it looks more like a threat mix with blasphemy.

Since it's funny to you, salah is coming, you should do the same thing with Muslims.

Ofunaofu:

The Christian Association of Nigeria has demanded a public apology from the Federal Inland Revenue Service over an Easter advert which the Christian body said it deemed offensive.

The FIRS, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, #FIRSNigeria, had shared a picture of a Point of Sale machine with the caption, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.”

The post had elicited reactions from Nigerians, particularly Christians, who condemned the post.

Although the post has been taken down, CAN’s National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, in a statement on Tuesday, called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of the incident and guide the FIRS in adhering to only messages that promote unity and peace.


The statement read in part, “In the light of recent events, we call upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.

“We also urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to take cognisance of this incident and to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion.

“As a nation that prides itself on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, we are deeply concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays. This year, a public institution, which should be the bastion of exemplary conduct, has been implicated in disseminating content that is widely regarded as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.


“The Easter period, a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivialises or mocks core religious beliefs. Religious convictions are at the heart of our identity and deserve the utmost respect.

“The analogy drawn by the FIRS between the pivotal Christian doctrine of redemption, and the civic duty of tax payment has been received with distress and indignation by the Christian community.”

The association advised all public and private organisations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of the society.

It said communications, especially from public institutions, should be crafted with a clear understanding of the cultural and religious tapestry that defines the nation.

https://punchng.com/your-easter-message-provocative-can-demands-apology-from-firs/?amp

helinues:


Those who have been paying tithes for years without getting tithes refund, not even when they are not paying tax should ease on the government.

Isn't also time to question the tithes you have been paying for years?

naija4life247:


You go cry tire. Shey Christ paid your Tax ni? Blasphemy ko, BlastFemi ni? Sad and sorrowful people with no[b] sense of humor[/b].

We have defeated both the political and the religious CAN of worms during the last three Presidential Elections as the vagabonds worked tirelessly against the god of Politics Emilokan Tinubu Jagaban, but they were disgraced and humiliated on three occasions. CAN of worms can go and die. Jesus didn't pay your Tax

faceland:


Question the tithe, question the religion. It is your chose. No one come and lock your business if you don't pay tithe. We are over taxed with no results. The tax is used to marry 3rd and 4th wives and buying cars.

Government should stay off religion.

Everything we buy from biscuit, pen, recharge card has VAT. On top of taxing our salary and business income. Now freewill gift to charity/religion wants to be tax... What have they done with the billions they collect monthly?

illicit:
CAN no get sense of humour