Offensive Easter Message: FIRS apologises to Christians
For posting an Easter message considered distasteful on its social media handle, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has apologised to Christians who were offended.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had criticised the agency’s social media post, demanding an apology from the Federal Government agency.
The flyer, titled: “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes,” sparked widespread condemnation from many Nigerians who viewed it as disrespectful to the significance of Easter.
CAN urged President Bola Tinubu, Finace Minister Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to take cognisance of the incident to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion.
A statement on behalf of the association by its National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (retd.), said CAN was aware that the FIRS released an Easter message that sparked significant public outcry amongst Christians.
It said: “It is with a profound sense of duty to national unity and respect for religious sentiments that we address the controversial statement ‘Jesus paid your debt, not your taxes’ circulated by the FIRS.
“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…”
Responding to CAN’s criticism of the message, the FIRS, in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Special Adviser Media, Dare Adekanmbi, said it never intended to disrespect Jesus Christ or diminish the importance of his sacrifice.
The FIRS acknowledged its role as a responsible government agency and its awareness of Easter’s core message.
The statement explained that “the flyer’s purpose was to engage taxpayers in a unique way, reminding them of their civic duty – prioritising tax payments”.
But it admitted that the message might have offended some Christians and acknowledged the “unintended meaning/insinuation” given to the message by many and regretted any miscommunication.
