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I smoked for 27 years, started at 13 — Tonto Dikeh

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Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has shared a public testimony of what she described as her deliverance from smoking, alcohol addiction, masturbation and prolonged anger issues during a Sunday service at Streams of Joy International Church.

In a video shared by DCLImagery on YouTube on Sunday, Dikeh gave the testimony during the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations service, led by the church’s founder, Pastor Jerry Eze.

Speaking before the congregation, the actress said she began smoking at the age of 13 and struggled for years with alcohol and masturbation, attributing her transformation to divine intervention.

“I smoked since I was 13. God healed me from masturbation, too. I have known myself to have sexual intercourse in the dream ever since I was a child,” she said.

She described her appearance at the altar as both a testimony and thanksgiving, noting that she almost withdrew over concerns about her public image.

“The devil tried to tell me that I was supposed to protect my image. But I told myself, what image? The God that gave me the image is the same God that can take it away,” she said.

Dikeh further explained that after attending the Ghana Prayer Conference, she noticed a change in what she described as years of spiritual oppression.

“I realised that the weak man who held me captive all my years in my dream ran away,” she said, adding that the experience marked a turning point in her spiritual life.

The actress also spoke about struggling with what she called “demonic anger,” which she said previously affected her relationships and personal life.

“An anger that destroyed my life. Everybody had to feel it. But praying with NSPPD, God took all of those away and gave me peace,” she said.

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According to her, she had never experienced peace until recently.

“I am 40 years old, and I can tell you I have never known peace until now. I am living in it,” she said.

Dikeh revealed that her smoking habit lasted for about 27 years, which she said began after exposure at home, urging parents to keep harmful habits away from their children.

“I started smoking because my dad was a smoker. Something as little as that habit can inhabit the lives of your children,” she said.

She added that after praying for divine help, she no longer experiences urges for cigarettes or alcohol, “My body does not ask for it. My body is repelling it. Today, it is broken.”

Pastor Eze later prayed for the actress, declaring that “the body of sin is broken” and describing her as “a voice in her generation.”

In addition to the testimony, the actress shared a series of photos on her Instagram at the church venue, captioning them: “A living testimony of mercy. One God spared, restored, and commissioned.”

Dikeh has in recent months spoken openly about her renewed Christian faith, describing her current spiritual journey as one marked by peace, restoration and commitment to serving God.

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Learn Bible before preaching, Pastor blasts Dolapo Lawal over salvation doctrine

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The lead pastor at Goodness Nation, Apostle Harrison Ayintete, has criticised Pastor of Zoe Household Global, Dolapo Lawal over his teaching against the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, urging the cleric to “learn the Bible before teaching.”

Ayintete, in a post on X, faulted Lawal’s interpretation of salvation, arguing that believers who have received eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ cannot lose their salvation.

The exchange followed Lawal’s recent sermon in which he rejected the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, arguing that salvation requires continued faith, repentance and holy living.

Lawal maintained that while believers can have assurance of salvation through faith in Christ, Scripture repeatedly warns Christians against falling away, abandoning the faith and living contrary to the gospel.

He cited the New Testament epistles and Jesus’ warnings to the seven churches in Revelation as evidence that believers must continue in obedience rather than assume salvation is irreversible regardless of their conduct.

He also argued that teaching unconditional eternal security encourages moral laxity within the church and downplays biblical calls to holiness, insisting that believers must read the whole of Scripture rather than rely solely on verses such as John 3:16.

Lead pastor at Goodness Nation, Apostle Harrison Ayintete…Photo Credit: X / Harrison Ayintete

Responding to Lawal’s sermon, Ayintete wrote, “Pastor Adedolapo Lawal, sir, I thought you knew better than this, though.

“According to your own John 3:16, the one who has believed has eternal life and will perish right?

“Eternal life is quality of life, it is God’s life, you said, so does God’s life see condemnation? Does God’s righteousness perish?”

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He argued that New Testament epistles were written to guide believers towards spiritual growth and maturity rather than to determine whether they remained saved.

“The epistles are for revelation, development in ministry, maturity in that which we have received, warning against lifestyles that do not reflect our righteousness.

“Spiritual development and growth is never the same as spiritual birth,” he said.

Ayintete also rejected Lawal’s claim that the teaching of “hyper-grace” had contributed to increasing sin within the church.

“You even said Hypergrace is the reason sins are everywhere. Bro, how many churches preach Hypergrace? So all the sins in RCCG is sponsored by Hypergrace? All the lies in Deeper Life? They don’t tell lies in your own churches?

“You people talk like you produce some better saints than we do,” he wrote.

He further challenged Lawal to a public debate on the subject, insisting that the issue should be discussed openly.

“If he sure for you say Hypergrace nor dey Bible, set up a proper debate on the subject, I will meet you there because at this point, we need that conversation,” he added.

In a follow-up video, Ayintete accused some ministers of deliberately portraying hyper-grace preachers negatively.

He maintained that Jesus’ promise of eternal life in John 3:16 and John 10 guaranteed permanent salvation for believers.

“The Lord Jesus said in John 3:16 that whosoever has believed in Him has eternal life and will not perish.

“Jesus said over and over, ‘I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.’ Ephesians 1 says we are sealed with the Spirit unto the day of our redemption,” he said.

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Ayintete argued that believers overcome sin through the Holy Spirit rather than fear of hell or losing salvation.

“We believe in hyper-grace, we preach it and we raise godly believers to the glory of God. We are not going to be silent anymore,” he said.

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‘I didn’t secretly sell my husband’s properties’ — Mr Ibu’s widow

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The widow of late Nollywood actor John Okafor, Stella Maris Okafor, has dismissed allegations that she secretly sold her late husband’s properties and kept the proceeds to herself.
Recall that the family of the late actor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, recently opened up about their struggles and financial situation.

In a recent video now making the rounds online, while speaking to content creator King Mitchy, Stella Maris explained that the sale of the properties was carried out in line with a court order and with the consent of Mr Ibu’s two sons, Valentine Okafor and Daniel Okafor.

She further backed her claim, stating that she has the relevant documents.

“I have to show you this document. This is a court order. We—I didn’t, not me alone. My husband’s two sons, Valentine Okafor and Daniel Okafor, and I did it according to the court order. Every evidence is here. We sold the house. I am not the one that sold the house,” she stated.

She also disclosed that she currently runs an online jewellery business, explaining that her late husband had initially discouraged her from venturing into it while she was still acting.

“I have a page online where I sell jewellery, and I am still selling my jewellery. When I wanted to start this business, my late husband stopped me because I was acting. My late husband was my colleague in the industry,” she said.

She further revealed that she is planning to move out of her current residence, describing it as too expensive and saying she only relocated there due to security concerns and public pressure following her husband’s death.

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“I did not intend to come to this place. It’s because of pressure and security, but I am packing out.”

Addressing claims by a young man who alleged online that he is one of Mr Ibu’s children and was denied financial support, Stella Maris said disagreements over money began shortly after the actor’s burial.

She alleged that some family members demanded that she share the money given to her during the burial for the upkeep of her children.

“Before they sold the land, we were still in the village, and they were dragging with me over the money that was given to me during the burial. They insisted that I should share the money with them. I told them that this was money given to me for my children. Why should I come and share it with you people?”

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‘I was a thief in my younger years’ – Charly Boy

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Nigerian activist and entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has admitted that he was involved in crime during his younger years in the United States.

Charly Boy made this confession on Friday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

The vocal social commentator said he made several poor decisions in his younger years and engaged in activities he now looks back on with regret.

“I’ve made mistakes in my life. I’ve been a thief. I’ve done very risky things. I’ve done very stupid things, very foolish things. In fact, I have no business being here with you tonight, but I guess there’s a purpose for my life,” he said.

According to the activist, his years in America were filled with reckless choices, including involvement in financial crimes.

“I was doing white-collar crime when I was in America. I was about 25 years old. I was doing a lot of stupid stuff. That’s why I say I’ve been there,” he added.

The social commentator pointed out that rather than hide those parts of his story, he chose to document them fully in his memoir to show his complete journey from rebellion and mistakes to transformation and self-discovery.

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