The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted the Easter Message disseminated to Nigerians by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The FIRS, in its Easter message, said “Jesus paid your debt, not your taxes”. This message generated many reactions among Christians who wondered why a public office would use such words to pass across an Easter message.
The National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare of CAN, Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), in a statement said the Association noted that the association is concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays stressing that such messages not only threaten the delicate fabric of the country’s unity but also undermine the efforts of countless Nigerians working towards fostering mutual respect among diverse religious groups.
“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.
“In 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.
“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.”
Ayuba observed that the Easter period, is a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, and therefore should not be juxtaposed with civic obligations in a manner that trivializes or mocks core religious beliefs.
“He stated that religious convictions are at the heart of our identity and deserve the utmost respect adding that 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.
According to him, “We recognize that the intended message may have been to creatively engage taxpayers; however, the execution has regrettably crossed the bounds of cultural and religious decorum.
“While the FIRS’s intent may not have been to show irreverence, the impact of the message cannot be ignored. It is imperative to remember that the use of religious symbols and narratives should be handled with the highest degree of sensitivity, especially when intersecting with secular matters.”
Ayuba who urged all public and private organizations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of society, said it is crucial that communications, especially from public institutions, are crafted with a clear understanding of the cultural and religious tapestry that defines our nation
“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 Security Service (DSS) to take cognizance of this incident and to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion,” Ayuba said.
“As a nation, we must strive to uphold the principles of respect and sensitivity in all our public discourses. It is through these values that we can continue to build a truly harmonious and inclusive Nigeria.”
