The Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), has apologized to the leaders and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Christians in the country for the message posted on its social media during the weekend which was considered as offensive.
The revenue agency had, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), while seeking to promote tax awareness posted a message that reads: ‘Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes’ and added the picture of a Point-of-Sale machine.
Though the FIRS had since taken down the controversial post the CAN’s National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, had however in a statement he issued on Tuesday, demanded apology from the FRIS on behalf of the Christians in the country.
He urged President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, and the Department of State Services to note what had happened and guide the FIRS in adhering to only messages that promote unity and peace.
Mr. Dare Adekanmbi, who is the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, noted that the agency’s action was well-intentioned while adding that no disrespect was intended.
“Our attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) with regard to the flyer 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 purposively to denigrate Jesus Christ or detract from the huge sacrifice He had 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 prioritize 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.
“We wish to offer our unreserved apologies for this misinterpretation. As a responsible agency, the FIRS has no religion and will not bring down any religion or offend the sensibilities of adherents of different 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 apologize to CAN and Christians who felt offended at the unintended consequence of our message on Easter Sunday.”
