Jim Iyke Is Born Again,Holding Jealously To His New Faith

Three weeks after his ‘deliverance’ in a Lagos church, Nollywood star, Jim Iyke, now sings a brand new song on Twitter, writes JAYNE AUGOYE

When the news  of Jim Iyke’s purported deliverance from ‘demons’ at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Lagos,  was announced on the TB Joshua Ministries Facebook account on September 29, it immediately sparked an online frenzy.

An accompanying video, which saw the actor rolling all over the floor as ‘demons and evil spirit’ were being cast out of him by a minister in the church, elicited mixed reactions and had many saying that it was all stage-managed by the actor, in a quest for relevance. Not a few also argued that there was more to it all than meet the eye.

Yet, surprisingly, Iyke, appears to have chosen to remain silent amid increasing public criticism. Occasionally he lets out some tweets that have further heightened the suspense.

However, barely three weeks after the entire episode, it now appears safe to say that the actor, may indeed have, spiritually speaking,  turned a new  lease of life after all; this is if his recent tweets and Twitter timeline are anything to go by.

One of the pointers to this fact is that Iyke has since changed his Twitter Biography to ‘God’s ambassador’, with nothing to suggest that he still is an actor.

Another area that suggests that the once boisterous actor has hit a turning point is his nature and social media presence which are now calmer, less asserting and non-confrontational.

Iyke, who also speaks and writes French Language fluently, is  now preoccupied with evangelising, preaching the word of God and re-tweeting posts by popular American televangelist, Dr. Mike Muddock. He has also been waxing philosophical and quoting biblical passages since the episode.

As if confirming his new status, the 37-year-old actor has been taking criticism lightly and now ends every tweet with a prayer. A particular post read, “I am now 10 times stronger in my convictions; so to helpers, critics, cynics and skeptics,  #GodIsInCharge.”

Interestingly, the only actor that has thrown her weight behind him ever since  is the equally controversial actress, Tonto Dikeh, who also admitted to have been delivered from 14 years of smoking addiction,  after watching a Prophet T.B. Joshua  T.V programme in 2012.

Dikeh’s tweet to Iyke read, “Brotherly,  I am proud of you. I’ll give anything to share that awesome experience but I am not as brave as you are. Unending joy and it is all love.”

In return, Iyke tweeted at her, saying, “You are awesome Poko. I am moved beyond words. There is always a curve, darling. You will know beyond conviction when you get there. Bless You.”

Another person, however, appears unfazed about the controversies that continue to trail Iyke,  hitherto popular for playing bad roles in Nollywood films. He currently enjoys the support of Ghanaian star, Nadia Buari, rumoured to be his lover. She has also been tweeting biblical passages at him, lately. A particular one read, “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, help you and uphold you with my righteous right hand!”

Although both parties have yet to comment on the true nature of their relationship, they continue to step out together at events, post pictures of themselves and openly display affection and support for each other on social media.

A recent report hints that the lovers may have already concluded plans to get married in December this year while another claims that “the actor is taking his ‘delivered’ status very seriously and keeping his itinerary not too far away from the confines of ‘Holy’ places as he was seen leaving a church after a vigil – alongside  Nadia.

Also, a most recent tweet by the Psychology graduate from the University of Jos shows that he is indeed smitten. One of such tweets reads, “For years she stands in the space beside you in the eye of dark storms. She makes something as unfathomable as love seems easy. She’s the one. Heaven testifies!”

However, Nadia herself,  who seems to be enjoying the attention,  has been busy dropping hints of an engagement on her Twitter handle.

“What kind of wedding would you like?” he asked, and stole another kiss before she could reply.

“The kind that turns you into my husband,” One of her posts reads.