….Emphasizes Importance Of Respecting Religious Sentiments, Fostering National Unity
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.
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 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 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.
This is derogatory. There is a silent war brewing in the country. What an insult against the Christian faith! Islam is taken the Christian faith for granted & this will definitely lead to negative repercussions. I swear. With time, we’ll settle score with our guns.I remember few weeks ago, an announcement went around that because Muslims are fasting, Christians should respect them by not eating in the public. Habba! When Lent began, did any Christian body make any announcement that because Lent was ongoing, Muslims should not eat in public? What do these slave descendants call themselves gan sef? I know Nigeria is sitting on the keg of gunpowder of religious war. It is matter of time. Christians have kept quiet enough,but I know,ths quietness won’t continue forever. The only thing the devil understand is VIOLENCE for VIOLENCE.