The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep concern over a controversial Easter message released by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which has sparked significant public outcry among Christians.
In a statement signed by Prophet Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), the National Director of National Issues and Social Welfare for CAN, the organization emphasized the importance of respecting religious sentiments and fostering national unity.
CAN highlighted the Easter period as a time of solemn reflection and sacred observance for Christians, emphasizing that messages from public institutions should not trivialize or mock core religious beliefs.
“The analogy drawn by the FIRS between the Christian doctrine of redemption and the civic duty of tax payment was deemed offensive and derogatory by the Christian community,” Ayuba stated.
While acknowledging the FIRS’s intent to engage taxpayers creatively, CAN asserted that the execution of the message crossed cultural and religious boundaries, causing distress and indignation.
“The FIRS’s attempt at creativity inadvertently caused offense and undermined the sanctity of the Easter season,” Ayuba added.
The organization called for public and private organizations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of society, emphasizing the need for communications to be crafted with sensitivity.
In light of the incident, CAN called upon the management of the FIRS to retract the message and issue a public apology for the distress caused.
Additionally, they urged key governmental figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance Wale Edun, and the Department of State Security Service (DSS), to guide the FIRS in adhering to communication strategies that promote respect, unity, and cohesion.
“The FIRS must understand the significance of religious sensitivities in Nigeria and ensure that future communications are inclusive and respectful,” Ayuba emphasized.
The statement concluded with a call for the nation to uphold principles of respect and sensitivity in all public discourses, emphasizing the importance of these values in building a harmonious and inclusive Nigeria.
