News

FIRS Apologises To CAN Over Easter Message

Published

1 month ago

April 2, 2024

Editor

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has issued an apology to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over its Easter message.

CAN had on Tuesday called out FIRS over an Easter advert which the Christian body deemed offensive.

The FIRS, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, #FIRSNigeria, had shared a picture of a Point of Sale machine with the caption, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.”

The post had elicited reactions from Nigerians, particularly Christians, who criticised the post.

In a statement released by FIRS, the agency clarified that the message was not intended to disparage Jesus Christ or undermine the significance of Easter.

Instead, FIRS explained that the message aimed to creatively engage taxpayers and emphasize the importance of fulfilling civic obligations, including tax payment.

The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about a flier posted on our social media platforms with the headline “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.”

“As a responsible agency of government, we would like to say we did not put out the flier purposively to denigrate Jesus Christ or detract from the huge sacrifice He made for humanity. 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 to remind 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.

“The unintended meaning/insinuation being read into the post was not what we were out to communicate as an agency. Good a thing, this much is acknowledged by CAN in its statement wherein it said “We recognise that the intended message may have been to creatively engage taxpayers…” We wish to offer our unreserved apologies for this misinterpretation.

“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 wellbeing of the Federation.

“We believe it is an investment in the progress of the country when citizens pay their taxes. Once again, we wish to apologise to CAN and Christians who felt offended at the unintended consequence of our message on Easter Sunday.”

News

JUST IN: Panic As Oyo Demolishes Shops In Popular Ibadan Market

Published

1 hour ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

Panic gripped residents and traders of the popular Ojoo market in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State as the government demolished scores of shops and kiosks in the area, on Thursday.

The PUNCH gathered that the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had served the traders quit notice a long time ago but they refused to move out of the market.

The Chairman of the market, Muhdeen Ganiyu, fondly called Elewedu, however, told our correspondent that the quit notice was too short but the executive members of all the affected markers would meet after the demolition exercise.

“The quit notice was too short. All executive members of all the affected markers will soon meet. So, I cannot say anything for now,” he stated.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, confirmed the ongoing demolition exercise.

He said, “The State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had gone there personally to address them. The government will provide another place. That place is dangerous. And the new place is not far. Just at the front of the Barracks.”

More pictures from the demolition courtesy The PUNCH:

Details later…

News

BREAKING: Reps To Probe Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Procurement Process

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the procurement process of the Lagos Calabar coastal highway.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national Importance moved by Austine Achado (APC, Benue) during plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Achado maintained that the contract award did not follow due process and did not get approval from the National Assembly.

However, in its resolution, the House referred the matter to its committees on Procurement and Works.

Details later…

News

Nigerian’s Request To Be Buried Alive For 24 Hours Causes Stir Online [VIDEO]

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

A Nigerian man simply identified as Young C caused a stir online on Wednesday, May 8, when he embarked on a challenge to be buried alive in a coffin for 24 hours.

In a post shared on his Instagram page, Young C said he intends to broadcast live footage from the coffin at night.

Sharing a video on his Instagram account, he said

“I am going to be spending the next 24 hours buried in this casket. Guys, this is real, not fake. And the most amazing part is that I am going to go live by night.”

In a subsequent update, Young C revealed that he had been buried for over 8 hours and was experiencing physical discomfort, including excessive sweating.

“Guys, I have been buried alive for over 8 hours now. For those of you who saw my first video, I have been down here. As you can see, my camera is still rolling, and I have my light down there, I am sweating, guys.”

In yet another update, Young C said he has started experiencing heat and that his fear now is for his rechargeable fan not to run out of power. He also showed a container where he has been urinating since he began the challenge.

Watch video below: