The Federal Inland Income Service has apologised to the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria over an Easter put up the affiliation described as being provocative.
The PUNCH earlier reported that the Christian physique had demanded a public apology from the FIRS after the Service posted an image on its X (previously Twitter), #FIRSNigeria.
The service had shared an image with the caption “Jesus paid your money owed, not your taxes.”
The put up had elicited reactions from Nigerians, significantly Christians.
In an announcement by its Nationwide Director of Nationwide Points and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, on Tuesday, CAN requested the FIRS to “supply a public apology for the misery triggered”, whereas additionally urging non-public and public establishments to be cognizant of the spiritual diversities within the nation.
In its response on Tuesday evening, the service stated its intention was to not denigrate the message of Easter however to interact taxpayers and to remind them of their civic responsibility.
In an announcement signed by Dare Adekambi, Particular Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS provided its “unreserved apologies” to CAN, including that the company had no faith and had no intention to offend adherents of the Christian religion.
The assertion learn, “Our consideration has been drawn to an announcement by the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria (CAN) a few flier posted on our social media platforms with the headline ‘Jesus paid your money owed, not your taxes.’ As a accountable company of presidency, we wish to say we didn’t put out the flier purposely to denigrate Jesus Christ or detract from the large sacrifice He made for humanity. We’re acutely conscious that the essence of the Easter interval is to rejoice this big sacrifice.
“The message was our approach of uniquely participating taxpayers and to remind them of the necessity to prioritise cost of their taxes as a civic obligation.
“Sure, we might say the message ruffled feathers in some circles. The unintended which means/insinuation being learn into the put up was not what we have been out to speak as an company. Good a factor, this a lot is acknowledged by CAN in its assertion whereby it stated ‘We recognise that the supposed message might have been to creatively interact taxpayers…’ We want to supply our unreserved apologies for this misinterpretation.
“FIRS, as a accountable company, has no faith and won’t carry down any faith or offend the sensibilities of adherents of varied faiths within the nation.
‘Our aim is to evaluate, acquire, and account for income for the wellbeing of the Federation. We imagine it’s an funding within the progress of the nation when residents pay their taxes. As soon as once more, we want to apologise to CAN and Christians, who felt offended on the unintended consequence of our message on Easter Sunday. “
