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.’”
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Expresses Sympathy To Pastor Odukoya’s Family
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.
Controversial street-hop singer, Okikiola Badmus, better known by his stage name Portable, has been remanded at the Oke Kura Correctional Centre in Ilorin, Kwara State, after failing to meet the bail terms set by an Upper Area Court.
The singer was arraigned on Monday following allegations of defamation filed against him by veteran Fuji star, Akorede Saheed, popularly known as Saheed Osupa.
Although the court approved bail for Portable in the sum of N1 million, the conditions attached proved difficult for the singer to meet immediately.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Grants Singer Portable ₦1m Bail Over Criminal Charges
The court stipulated that he must produce two sureties in like sum — one of whom must be “either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria,” while the second must be “a property owner within a Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, supported by a valid Certificate of Occupancy.”
More to follow……….
Entertainment
‘Nigeria Jaga Jaga’ Will Remain Unofficial National Anthem Until Change Happens – Eedris Abdulkareem
Renowned Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has boldly asserted that his 2001 protest anthem Nigeria Jaga Jaga will continue to serve as Nigeria’s unofficial second national anthem, insisting it will remain so until the country addresses the systemic issues it critiques.
Abdulkareem, famed for his fearless criticism of corruption and social injustices, made these remarks in a recent interview with Channels TV.
The song, which has seen a resurgence in popularity on platforms like TikTok, was groundbreaking for its uncompromising portrayal of Nigeria’s governmental failures, rampant corruption, and decaying infrastructure.
READ MORE: Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem Drops New Single ‘THANK YOU‘
Abdulkareem declared, “Nigeria Jaga Jaga will continue to be the second national anthem, whether anybody likes it or not. But I always pray to wake up one day and find the song is no longer relevant. That would make me very happy.”
Released nearly a quarter of a century ago, Nigeria Jaga Jaga caused a national stir with its sharp criticism of the nation’s political and economic decay.
Even though the song faced government bans and significant backlash at the time, it has stood the test of time, resonating with generations of Nigerians who continue to grapple with the same issues.
Abdulkareem expressed regret that the song’s message remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released: “Until we see real development—constant electricity, security, and good leadership—Nigeria Jaga Jaga will remain relevant. Sadly, 24 years later, the message of the song is still our reality.”
Aside from revisiting his iconic hit, Abdulkareem also addressed the controversy surrounding his latest track, Tell Your Papa. The song, which was recently banned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and marked “Not to be Broadcast” (NTB), has ignited a fresh debate on the state of censorship and freedom of expression in Nigerian music.
Many believe that Tell Your Papa is a direct rebuttal to a viral video in which Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, passionately defended his father’s administration.
Abdulkareem explained his motivation behind the song, revealing, “I was inspired by Seyi Tinubu. In the video, he kept repeating, ‘My father is the greatest president.’ But I differ. He may be the best father to Seyi, but he’s the worst president to Nigerians.”
The rapper went on to criticize the current administration for its failure to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, insecurity, and widespread youth unemployment.
Abdulkareem contrasted the privileged life of Seyi Tinubu with the struggles faced by everyday Nigerians, saying, “I told him to travel by road without security and feel the pain of the people.
Nigerian youths are asking for basic things—electricity, security, job opportunities—not palliatives.”
Despite the ban, Abdulkareem maintained that his song was not an insult but a truthful commentary on the country’s leadership.
“If you listen carefully, there’s nowhere in the song that I insult him. I just stated the truth. He spoke publicly, so I responded publicly. If he had remained silent, I wouldn’t have recorded the song,” Abdulkareem clarified.
Drawing comparisons to the legendary Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, Abdulkareem emphasized that his criticism comes from a deep love for Nigeria.
“I’m a passionate Nigerian. I love this country deeply. But truth is bitter, and those in power don’t like hearing it,” he said. “I want a better Nigeria, and I’ll keep speaking out until we see real change.”
An Upper Area Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has granted bail to controversial Nigerian singer, Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, in the sum of ₦1 million.
Portable was arraigned before the court on Sunday on charges bordering on criminal defamation, intimidation, inciting public disturbance, and cyberstalking.
Ruling on his bail application, the court ordered that the singer must produce two sureties in like sum.
READ ALSO: I Want To Fight Anthony Joshua – Portable
One of the sureties is required to be either the Chairman or Secretary of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), while the other must own a landed property within a Government Reserved Area (GRA) and present a valid Certificate of Occupancy as proof.
The court has adjourned the case, with further proceedings expected to continue in the coming days.
Details later…
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