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Tag: Easter

  • FIRS tenders apology to CAN over offensive Easter message

    FIRS tenders apology to CAN over offensive Easter message

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has finally apologised to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigerians over an Easter message regarded as offensive by the apex Christian body in the country.

    Recall that a flier shared via its social media accounts on Sunday reads, “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.”

    However, reacting to the FIRS’s Easter post, CAN, the Christian body, demanded a public apology, noting that the message was offensive to the Christian faith.

    This post also elicited reactions from Nigerians.

    Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Dare Adekambi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji said its intention was not to denigrate the message of Easter but to engage taxpayers and remind them of their civic duty.

    The service rendered an “unreserved apology” to CAN and Nigerians, adding that the agency had no religion and had no intention to offend adherents of the Christian faith.

    The statement read, “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 government agency, we would like to say we did not put out the flier purposely 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, to remind them of the need to prioritize 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 recognize 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. It is an investment in the country’s progress when citizens pay taxes. Once again, we wish to apologize to CAN and Christians who felt offended by the unintended consequence of our message on Easter Sunday”.

  • CAN demands public apology from FIRS over Easter message

    CAN demands public apology from FIRS over Easter message

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Tuesday in Abuja called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to retract its Easter message and offer public apology.

    The National Director, National Issues and Social Welfare, CAN, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd), in a statement said that FIRS’ Easter message threatened Nigeria’s unity and undermined respect among diverse religious groups.

    The FIRS Easter message reads, “Jesus paid your debt, not your taxes.”

    CAN, however, expressed concern over the FIRS message calling it “offensive and derogatory” to the Christian faith

    “The Easter message by FIRS does not only threaten Nigeria’s delicate fabric of unity but also undermines the efforts of many Nigerians working towards fostering mutual respect among diverse religious groups

    “As a nation that prides itself on religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, we are deeply concerned by the recurrence of provocative messages around religious holidays.

    “This year, a public institution, which should be the bastion of exemplary conduct, has been implicated in disseminating content that is widely regarded as offensive and derogatory to the Christian faith.

    “Such messages not only threaten the delicate fabric of our national unity but also undermine the efforts of countless Nigerians working towards fostering mutual respect among diverse religious groups,” the statement reads.

    The FIRS’ Easter message has sparked serious controversy.

    In its Easter message signed by, FIRS Chairman Muhammad Nami, emphasised the need for Christians to pay their taxes as a form of religious obligation.

    This draws criticism for what some perceived as insensitivity and religious bias.

    This has reignited debates over the role of government agencies in promoting religious harmony and respect for diverse beliefs in Nigeria.

    Critics argued that while tax compliance is important, public messages should be inclusive and respectful of all religious groups to avoid fueling tensions in the country.

    However, CAN’s statement urged the FIRS to retract the message and offer a public apology for the distress caused.

    CAN also called on public and private organizations to exercise caution and consideration for the diverse religious backgrounds of Nigerian society in their communications.

  • Easter: FG should devise a robust strategy to lead the country towards national healing – Kukah

    Easter: FG should devise a robust strategy to lead the country towards national healing – Kukah

    Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has posited that Nigeria is reaping what it sowed yesterday.

    Kukah made his position known while addressing the nation’s challenges during his Easter message made available to newsmen on Sunday.

    According to him, the Federal Government should devise a robust strategy to reverse the country’s course and lead it towards national healing.

    “Our leaders chose the feast rather than the fast. We are today reaping what we sowed yesterday. For over 60 years, our leaders have looked like men in a drunken stupor, staggering, stumbling, and fumbling,” Kukah expressed.

    He underscored pervasive corruption and its debilitating effects on the nation, describing Nigeria as being in a state of hangover that renders it comatose.

    However, the bishop remained optimistic about Nigeria’s potential for greatness, urging citizens to journey together towards a new dawn of resurrection.

    “The corruption of the years of a life of immoral and sordid debauchery has spread like cancer, destroying all our vital organs. The result is a state of hangover that has left our nation comatose.

    “Notwithstanding, Easter is a time to further reflect on the road not taken. It is a time to see if this Golgotha of pain can lead us to the new dawn of the resurrection. Nigeria can and Nigeria will be great again. Let us ride this tide together in hope,” he stated.

    Proposing urgent measures to alleviate economic hardship and hunger, Kukah stated the need for inclusive policies to eradicate nepotism and foster patriotism.

    He called for transparent recruitment methods and a clear communications strategy to inspire accountability and achieve national goals.

    He said: “The government must design a more comprehensive and wide-ranging method of recruitment that is transparent as a means of generating patriotism and reversing the ugly face of feudalism and prebendalism

    “There is a need for a clear communications strategy that will serve to inspire and create timelines of expectations of results from policies.

    “There is a need for clarity over questions of who, what, when, and how national set goals are to be attained and who can be held accountable.”

    Kukah also criticised the prevalent security situation, describing the military’s extensive involvement in civilian affairs as concerning.

    He stated the importance of maintaining the military’s professionalism and integrity while addressing the root causes of insecurity.

  • Easter: How to attain a better Nigeria – Cleric

    Easter: How to attain a better Nigeria – Cleric

    Rev. Tom Takpatore, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Garki Abuja has said that a better Nigeria is possible if leaders and followers shun sharp practices and adopt due processes.

    Takpatore who stated this in an Easter message admonished Nigerians to do the right thing at all times for a quick transformation of the country.

    He noted that just as the sufferings of Good Friday did not last, the current hardship in the country will soon give way.

    The cleric however, stressed that, for the glory and the victory of the resurrection to rise over Nigeria, laders and followers must do the right thing at all times

    “Our leaders and the people can learn one thing from the celebration of Easter and that is the message of hope.

    “There is hope in every situation, but it is not for those who are doing bad things; we can turn a new leaf and star to do good.

    “For Jesus, Friday, and Saturday of Easter were very dark but on Sunday there was resurrection and because of that, there is hope if we keep working and doing the right things.

    “The results will come and the fruits will surely come,” he said.

    The Cleric stressed that, Easter,  the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, reminds the faithfuls that no situation is permanent.

    He said that all those who will invite Jesus into their lives will overcome sins, afflictions and have eternal life.

    The cleric urged all faithfuls to hold on to their faith and called on those yet to believe to make haste and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

  • Easter: Grace Ike assures journalists of better times ahead

    Easter: Grace Ike assures journalists of better times ahead

    Amidst the prevailing hardship and austerity facing our nation and journalists alike, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike has offered a message of hope and resilience.

    She urged journalists not to lose faith, assuring them that brighter days are on the horizon.

    In her message on the significance of Easter to journalists, Ike who is also the Vice Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel FCT NUJ, extended warm greetings to journalists in Abuja and beyond.

    She emphasized Easter as a time symbolizing renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness.

    Acknowledging the challenges journalists face, including dwindling resources and threats against press freedom, Ike encouraged perseverance in the face of adversity.

    Drawing inspiration from the Easter story, Ike underscored the importance of unity and commitment to truth and integrity in overcoming obstacles.

    She particularly acknowledged the vital role of female journalists, expressing gratitude for their contributions and highlighting their significance in the Easter narrative.

    Referring to the Gospel of John 11:25, Ike reflects on Jesus’ proclamation of himself as the source of eternal life and hope. She emphasized the symbolic role of women in the Easter celebration, citing their faith, perseverance, and resilience.

    “As the first witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection, women exemplify the message of hope and salvation, embodying faithfulness and devotion despite challenges,” she noted.

    Ike therefore called on journalists to remain steadfast in their dedication to informing the public and holding power to account.

    While emphasizing the enduring message of faith, perseverance, and unity embodied by Easter, the union leader urged all to look ahead with hope and determination.

  • Easter: Gov. Mbah preaches sacrifice, love, says economic challenges will soon be over

    Easter: Gov. Mbah preaches sacrifice, love, says economic challenges will soon be over

    Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has urged the people of the state to emulate the virtues of self-sacrifice and love as exemplified by Christ.

    Mbah also urged them to hold fast to their faith in the midst of the present socio-economic challenges, saying that they would eventually become a thing of the past.

    He stated this in his Easter message to the people of Enugu State and the nation in general, signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh, on Sunday in Enugu.

    The governor said, “I join Ndi Enugu and Nigerians in celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    “His death and resurrection embody self-sacrifice, forgiveness, infinite love, and victory over every challenge, all of which our state and nation need at a time like this.

    “Therefore, as we mark Easter, I urge us to be our brother’s keeper and extend a hand of fellowship to those that offended us.

    “I equally enjoin us to remain unwavering in our service to our dear state and faith in the fatherland, rest assured that we shall overcome the present socio-economic challenges and the good times will ultimately return,” he stated.

    Mbah wished the people of Enugu State and Nigerians a happy Easter celebration.

  • Easter: What Christ’s death means for Nigeria – Peter Obi

    Easter: What Christ’s death means for Nigeria – Peter Obi

    Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has urged Christians to see the victory of Jesus Christ over death as a huge motivation that a new Nigeria is possible.

    This is contained in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, on Saturday in Anambra.

    According to Obi, it is also a strong indication that Nigerians will surmount the existing challenges and sing the great alleluia in the end.

    “I join the global community of Christians, especially Christians in Nigeria, in celebrating Easter – the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    “This great occasion brings to an end the Christian Lenten season of fasting, prayers and almsgiving, and ushers us into the season of glory and victory over death.

    “For us in Nigeria, this very significant celebration holds vital promises of victory over our present myriads of challenges, if we do not despair,” he said.

    He said that Nigeria had continued to stagger under the heavy weight of high insecurity and other challenges that had pervaded every part of the national existence.

    “Just as Our Lord Jesus, who made very painful sacrifices for the salvation of the world, which today we celebrate His glorious resurrection, we all must continue to labour in unity, for the good of our nation, knowing that our labours will not be in vain,” he said.

    Obi urged Christians, in the spirit of Easter, to continue to pray for God’s intervention in the country’s affairs, even as Nigerians laboured as humans.

    “For the sake of our nation, God will crown our efforts with success and make a greater Nigeria even more possible, beyond our human efforts. I wish everyone a very Happy Easter celebration,” he said.

  • Easter: Live in spirit of brotherly love, Archbishop tells Nigerians

    Easter: Live in spirit of brotherly love, Archbishop tells Nigerians

    The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged Nigerians to make more effort to live in the spirit of brotherly love, unity and selflessness.

    The Archbishop made the call in his Easter message to Nigerians on Saturday.

    The message was signed by the Church’s Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godoun.

    It was to encourage people to see reason to live in peace with one another especially during the period of Easter celebration.

    Martins said that the sacrifice that the Easter presents to man is invaluable, highlighting the imperative for peaceful co-existence.

    The Archbishop noted that the 2024 Easter season offers another opportunity to reflect deeply about the love of God for humanity, offering His all for us.

    According to him, people should do away with the shackles of sin and eternal damnation so as to enter into the joy of eternal beatitude.

    ”It is only by practicing the true virtues of love for one another and empathy at this critical period that Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe and faith, can live in true peace and harmony, not minding the grave economic and security challenges that they are facing.

    “At Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ which is the core of our faith as Christians.

    “It is a special period when we are expected to unite with Christ by serving Him through offering our services to others, especially those who are in great need.

    ”Easter reminds us to continue to proclaim the mystery of our faith as Christians: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

    ”As we have commemorated the suffering and death of Christ and now, we rejoice in His resurrection at Easter, we must also be mindful of the spiritual implications of the season because they reveal to us the importance of sacrifice and love for one another.

    ”These are important virtues that we need to make more abundant and demonstrate more vigorously at this period that we are confronted with immense economic hardship, poverty, and social dysfunction,” he said.

    The prelate condemned the recent murder of 17 officers and men of the Nigerian Army in Okuama Community in Delta.

    He urged the federal and state governments to ensure all those found complicit were made to face the full wrath of the law.

    Martins also advised the army to show restraint in the face of the provocation and allow the rule of law to take its course.

    He commended the conferment of posthumous national honours on the heroes as well as the award of scholarship to their children.

    The archbishop expressed the hope that they would not have any difficulty in securing the scholarship.

    He called for adequate measures to  safeguard the lives and improve the welfare of law enforcement agents that sacrificed  much for the country.

    Martins sought more stringent measures to tackle insecurity in the society.

    He implored the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the food sector, to tackle the excruciating hunger and deprivation being experienced by Nigerians owing to the parlous state of the economy.

  • Pope sends important message to Christians at Easter

    Pope sends important message to Christians at Easter

    Pope Francis has called on Christian faithful to rejoice, and be hopeful in spite of current reality in the world.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pope Francis made the call at the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.

    Current political crises across the globe, the head of the Catholic Church said in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, are “boulders of death”.

    Specifically, he mentioned the ruthlessness of hatred and the cruelty of war, which break the longing for world peace, but also selfishness and indifference.

    The 87-year-old said Easter would roll away those boulders.

    Around 6,000 people attended the celebration to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in St. Peter’s Basilica.

    According to Francis, Easter should encourage people and give them hope: “This is the power of God: the victory of life over death, the triumph of light over darkness, the rebirth of hope in the midst of the ruins of failure.”

    After Holy Week, the Easter Vigil is a cause for joy, he said.

    “Sister, brother, may your heart burst into joy on this holy night!” the pontiff said in his homily.

    On the night before Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross.

    At the beginning of the celebration, the Easter candle was carried through St. Peter’s Basilica in a procession in complete darkness – the darkness is intended to symbolise life without faith.

    The candles of the priests and faithful were then lit from the Easter candle to the cry of “Lumen Christi,” Latin for the “Light of Christ.”

    During the celebration, Francis baptized eight adults: four Italians, two South Koreans, a Japanese man and a woman from Albania.

    The pontiff performed the ceremony sitting down. Francis read his sermon himself, but his voice was hoarse.

    On Good Friday, he had surprisingly decided not to take part in the Stations of the Cross service in order to preserve his health.

    On Sunday, he plans to preside over the Easter Mass and give the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, Latin for to the city and the world.

  • Easter: There’s hope, victory for Nigeria – Anglican cleric

    Easter: There’s hope, victory for Nigeria – Anglican cleric

    As Christians celebrate Easter, the Bishop of Ibadan-North Anglican Diocese, Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, says  there is hope and victory for Nigeria and  the entire world.

    Aladekugbe, who made the remark in his Easter message on Saturday in Ibadan, stressed the first of all hopes is eternal life for all who believe in  Jesus Christ.

    “The world is now ravaged by materialism, violence, corruption, faithlessness, though we are in the age of a revolutionary change.

    “The finger of Christ is seen everywhere and our hope of redemption is not lost. Take a look at our country, Nigeria. Things appear to be disintegrating on a daily basis.

    “Life is grossly uncertain; death comes so easily through the hands of assassins and kidnappers without remorse; yet, Christ says through His resurrection, there is hope for those who believe in Him,” the cleric said.

    He said that Nigeria would be stronger  but only God would determine how it would  bounce back.

    “This is the reason  we must not nurture the hope that is uncertain; rather, we need to have Walter Raleigh’s kind of Hope – ‘From this earth, this grave, the dust, my God shall raise me up’.

    “Your joy at Easter is not that you are saved alone, but it is that Christ is the hope of the world. Your major assignment is now to go, tell the story, act the story, live with the story,” he said.

    According to the bishop, one of the lessons of Easter is that Jesus is a life-charger. Aladekugbe emphasised that Christ’s resurrection meant and signified  vindication of righteousness.

    “Jesus was innocent of all charges, He was crucified, but God raised Him to life in order to be vindicated.

    “Easter signifies the defeat of death; the spirit of the grave was silenced; truth can be suppressed but cannot be killed.

    “When you are persecuted because of truth, be sure, like Jesus, that you will triumph. All believers will be raised to life eternal by God because of Christ’s resurrection as stated in the Bible.

    “We must therefore be happy that He lives, and because He lives, we have the hope of tomorrow for our country, for the world, and our biggest hope is for eternity,” the  bishop said.