Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has reacted to the backlash that followed a viral video showing her conducting a deliverance session for a school pupil during an outreach programme.
Naija News reports that the controversy began after a video surfaced online showing the actress praying for a young girl during a visit to a school.
The clip quickly spread across social media and drew criticism from several public figures and online commentators, including comedian I Go Save, who questioned her actions.
Following the reactions, Tonto Dikeh shared a message on her Instagram page where she addressed the criticism and spoke about her faith.
In the post, the actress stated that she would rather face mockery or ridicule than stop speaking about the God she believes saved her.
She explained that she would not hide her faith simply to protect her public image or gain approval from people.
She also said she was ready to accept criticism and insults if that was the price of openly declaring her beliefs.
According to her, such attacks would not stop her from continuing what she sees as her spiritual assignment.
Tonto Dikeh also said she believes the battle she is facing is not against people but against spiritual forces.
She wrote: “I EVANGELIST TONTO DIKEH WOULD RATHER BE MOCKED, RIDICULED, OR EVEN SLAIN THAN SILENCE THE NAME OF THE ONE WHO SAVED ME. I REFUSE TO HIDE GOD TO PROTECT MY IMAGE BEFORE MERE MORTALS. IF IT COMES TO IT, I WILL WEAR MOCKERY LIKE PERFUME AND CARRY REPROACH LIKE A CROWN, BECAUSE HE IS WORTH IT ALL.
“I LOVE YOU ALL (the good, the ugly and the bad) THE WORLD IS NOT FIGHTING ME, THE KINGDOM OF HELL IS AND I UNDERSTAND THIS. SO NO HATE OVER HERE, WE BATTLE ON OUR KNEES IN PRAYER. THAT WHERE TRUE STRENGTH IS FORGED AND TRUE VICTORIES ARE WON.”
