Entertainment
‘God Instructed Me Not To Cut My Dreadlocks’ — Jimmy Odukoya Reveals Spiritual Reason Behind His Hair
Controversial cleric Jimmy Odukoya has revealed that his decision to keep dreadlocks was based on a direct instruction from God — a move that, according to him, ultimately saved a life.
In a sermon shared on Facebook Wednesday, the lead pastor of The Fountain of Life Church explained that the hairstyle, which has drawn both criticism and support, is not a fashion statement but a spiritual mandate.
“Before I came back, one of the things I asked the Lord was whether or not I should cut my hair. And the Lord told me not to cut my hair,” Odukoya said. “I said, ‘Lord, you sure?’ He said, ‘Don’t cut it.’ I said, ‘Alright. I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I’m crazy enough to follow you, let’s do it together.’”
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He recounted how his sister and fellow pastor, Tolu Odukoya-Ijogun, initially questioned his appearance, urging him to consider how it might affect his outreach.
“She said, ‘This your hair… To clean a fish, you must first catch it,’” he recalled. “In other words, if you’re going to reach people and bring about change, you must first be relatable and accepted.”
Odukoya, however, insisted on following divine instruction. “Sis, I hear you, but go and pray. God will speak to you,” he told her.
According to him, she later returned with a revelation of her own. “She saw me preaching with my hair and came back to say, ‘You’re not supposed to cut it.’ And I said, ‘I know. He already told me.’”
The most striking part of his testimony came as he described a woman from Zimbabwe who traveled to Nigeria just to attend his service after recognizing him from a vision she had nine years ago.
“She said, ‘People think I’m crazy. I told everybody I am coming to Nigeria for the next three to four weeks. I’m just coming to church,’” Odukoya shared.
He explained that the woman had seen him in a 2016 vision while in New York during Thanksgiving. At the time, she said she was burdened by personal struggles and saw a man with long hair and a sword speaking words that released her from her pain.
“There was this dog on my shoulder. I knew the dog represented the weight I was carrying and you had this long sword. You began speaking to me and it looked like thunder and lightning was coming out of the sword and it burnt the dog into ashes,” she told him.
The woman said she had no knowledge of Odukoya at the time and assumed the man in the vision wasn’t real. Years later, in 2025, while battling depression after a divorce and the loss of her mother, she stumbled upon a sermon on YouTube — and recognized him instantly.
“She said, ‘I screamed. This is the man I saw. I didn’t know any pastor would have long hair. It’s him!’”
Odukoya noted that the timing of her vision in 2016 was particularly significant because he did not have dreadlocks then, highlighting how obeying God’s instruction played a role in what he believes was a divinely orchestrated moment.
“In 2016, I didn’t even have dreads. But the God who sees, hears, and knows, knew that in February 2025, one of His children would have to see a man preaching,” he said. “If He did not ask me to keep my hair, I would have cut it. And when I popped up on the screen, she would have seen me with no hair and it would have meant nothing.”
Odukoya, who succeeded his late father Pastor Taiwo Odukoya in 2023, has previously defended his appearance, stating that his mode of dressing is spiritually guided.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has publicly declared love and appreciation for her former husband, Olakunle Churchill, years after their highly publicised split.
The emotional moment occurred during their son King Andre’s 10th birthday celebration held in Abuja, where Dikeh offered heartfelt prayers and words of affirmation for Churchill in the presence of guests.
In a video from the event that has since gone viral on social media, the actress described Churchill as “an amazing father” and expressed gratitude for his role in their son’s life.
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“You are an amazing father, thank you so much,” she said. “Your businesses will flourish; whoever curses you shall be cursed. I love you with the love of God.”
Dikeh further prayed for Churchill’s family and children, asking for divine protection, success and progress in all their endeavours.
“I pray for your family. I pray for your business. I pray for all the children. They will progress. Failure will not meet them. Everything that they touch will be blessed,” she declared.
The development marks a significant shift in the relationship between the former couple, whose marriage ended in 2017 amid allegations and public disputes that dominated entertainment headlines for years.
Recently, Dikeh revealed that they had reconciled and “buried the hatchet,” signalling an end to their long-running feud and a renewed focus on peaceful co-parenting.
Churchill later married actress Rosy Meurer in 2021, and the couple have two children together. Despite past controversies, both families appear to have embraced maturity and mutual respect.
The birthday celebration and Dikeh’s public declaration have since sparked mixed reactions online, with many applauding the former couple for putting aside differences for the sake of their son.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication between the government and the people of Edo State.
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“This is to inform the general public that Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Mercy Johnson-Okojie as Special Adviser on Public Engagement and Advocacy,” the statement read.
Johnson-Okojie, a renowned actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated figures, with nearly two decades in the industry and appearances in over 200 films.
Beyond her acting career, she is the founder of the Mercy Johnson Okojie Foundation, which focuses on women empowerment, child welfare, educational support, and healthcare outreach.
The Edo State Government expressed confidence that her influence, public appeal, and grassroots connection would help boost awareness of government programmes and encourage citizen participation in state policies.
Her husband, Odianosen Okojie, represents Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The appointment has sparked conversations across social media, with supporters describing it as a strategic move to bridge the gap between governance and the entertainment industry.
Preliminary autopsy results have ruled out food poisoning as the cause of death for two Nollywood production crew members found dead at a movie set in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on February 7, 2026.
The victims, 36-year-old cinematographer Walter Odediran and his childhood friend Godstime Imeh, Lighting Director and Chief Officer of GeeTee Light, were discovered lifeless inside a Nissan car owned by Imeh, parked within the premises of Evercare Hospital, where a film was being shot.
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According to sources, the autopsy revealed that one of the victims had an empty stomach, while the other had only a small amount of food — “almost as if he hadn’t eaten anything,” a source said.
Walter Odediran’s elder brother, Kola Odediran, confirmed that the family had received the preliminary autopsy report. He said: “The autopsy itself is complete, and no food was found in my late brother.
“The results indicate he did not eat anything. But they are going to carry out toxicology and histology tests, which will provide the definitive answers we are looking for.”
To determine the exact cause of death, experts will conduct additional tests on blood and tissue samples to find out whether the victims ingested or inhaled any harmful substances before their deaths.
These results are expected in two to three weeks.
Relatives of the deceased, as well as colleagues in the Nollywood industry, are awaiting the findings with bated breath, hoping the upcoming tests will shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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