Hold the presses, ladies and gentlemen! The internet is abuzz with whispers of a tax-free utopia for women, all thanks to our very own Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohanenye. But before you start celebrating with confetti and champagne (tax-free, of course!), let’s put on our detective hats and unravel the truth behind these rumors.
It all started with a mischievous little puff of smoke – a report claiming Minister Ohanenye was lobbying for a ladies-only tax haven. Cue the gasps, the raised eyebrows, the cries of “But what about the men?!”
But fear not, fellow taxpayers! Minister Ohanenye is here to set the record straight. With a voice as clear as a diamond tiara (tax-free, natch), she declares, “I never advocated for tax exemption for women!”
She made the clarification on Wednesday, via a statement signed by her special assistant on media, Ohaeri Joseph, in Abuja.
It reads, “The attention of the Ministry has been drawn to some false reports on ‘Morning Show’ segment of the Arise TV insinuating that the Minister advocated for women not to pay tax in the Nigeria.
“We wish to state categorically clear that the Minister did not canvass for women not to pay tax.
“Because as a law abiding citizen and a major stakeholder in the Nigerian project, she strongly embraces the fact that there is no gender barrier for tax payment which is the civic responsibility of both men and women in the country.”
That’s right, folks. This whole tax-free tea party is a figment of someone’s overactive imagination. Minister Ohanenye, a champion of equality (and probably a stickler for fiscal responsibility), wouldn’t dream of advocating for gender-based tax breaks. As she rightly points out, “As a law-abiding stakeholder in the country, I do not advocate for gender barriers when it comes to tax payments.”
So, there you have it, folks! The rumor mill has churned out another batch of fake news, and Minister Ohanenye has emerged victorious, armed with the truth and a killer smile (probably tax-free, too).
But before we file this case under “Things That Never Happened,” let’s take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of it all. Imagine a world where women get to skip tax day while the men are left footing the bill. It would be like a gender-bent version of that scene from “The Hangover,” where the guys wake up in a trashed hotel room with a missing tiger – only instead of a tiger, it’s our hard-earned cash!
So, let’s raise a (tax-deductible) glass to Minister Ohanenye for nipping this rumor in the bud. And remember, folks, the next time you hear something fishy about our leaders, don’t just swallow it hook, line, and sinker. Grab your magnifying glass, your critical thinking cap, and get to the bottom of the truth!
After all, in the game of taxation, only the truth sets you free (from false rumors, that is). And who knows, maybe one day we’ll all be celebrating a tax-free future, together, men and women alike. But until then, let’s pay our dues with a smile (and maybe a little bit of grumbling about how much we’re paying).
PS: A video circulated online showing Minister Ohanenye mispronouncing “tax” as “task.” Some commentators have pointed out that this could contribute to the spread of misinformation about tax breaks for women.