- FIRS extends apologies to Christians over controversial Easter message, acknowledging widespread criticism and expressing regret for any offense caused
- Special Adviser on Media clarifies FIRS’s intention was not to denigrate Jesus Christ but to encourage taxpayers’ civic responsibility
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended its apologies to Christians following the uproar caused by its controversial Easter message.
The FIRS had posted a now-deleted message on its social media platforms on Saturday, stating: “Jesus paid your debt, not your taxes,” which sparked widespread criticism among Christians.
Consequently, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemned the message, describing it as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.
In response to the backlash, Dare Adekanmbi, the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing regret over any offence caused by the message.
“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 reminding 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,” he said.
According to Adekanmbi, the unintended meaning of the post was not what “we were out to communicate as an agency.”
“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 well-being of the Federation. We believe it is an investment in the country’s progress when citizens pay their taxes,” he added.
Adekanmbi clarified that the message’s intention was not to denigrate Jesus Christ or undermine his sacrifice for humanity but to encourage taxpayers to fulfil their civic responsibility of paying taxes.
He emphasized that the FIRS, as a responsible government agency, respects all religions and aims to promote unity and progress in the country.
Adekanmbi reiterated FIRS’s commitment to collecting revenue for the betterment of the nation and acknowledged that the unintended interpretation of the message had caused discomfort among some individuals.
Consequently, FIRS tendered an apology to CAN and all Christians offended by the Easter message, reaffirming its dedication to fostering mutual respect and understanding among citizens of different faiths.