Why smoking cigarettes, taking alcohol not sins – Pastor Damina

Pastor Abel Damina, the founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, has sparked widespread debate following his New Year’s Eve sermon.

During the Tuesday service, he boldly stated that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not sins, challenging long-held views within many Christian circles.

According to Pastor Damina, these acts have often been misrepresented as sinful, even though they are not inherently so.

He emphasized the need for a deeper understanding of scripture, urging Christians to avoid attaching spiritual condemnation to personal choices that do not violate biblical principles.

“I’ve told you alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you cigar is not a sin. If you like, put it on newspaper headline, I said it,” Damina stated.

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However, he made it clear that he was not encouraging such behaviors, cautioning his audience to exercise wisdom.

“Am I saying you should smoke? You should have sense from your father’s house to know that cigar will cut short your life. Am I saying you should drink alcohol? You should know that if you drink alcohol, you will lie down inside a gutter. Your shirt and trousers will disappear. You should have the sense to know that.”

Damina’s sermon also addressed the theological basis for his views, challenging traditional interpretations of sin and morality.

Referencing the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he questioned the belief that their sin resulted from eating fruit from the forbidden tree.

“Adam and Eve ate nothing,” he said. “Adam and Eve didn’t eat anything. Were you there? You were not there. So how do we know whether they ate something or not? Jesus was there. Was Jesus there in the Garden of Eden? Yes. Can Jesus explain to us what happened? Yes.”

Citing Mark 7:18-21, he argued that sin is not caused by what one consumes but by the condition of the heart. “If they (Adam and Eve) ate, it’ll go to their stomach. It’ll digest and go to toilet. They’ll be free,”

Damina said. “There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It’ll go to the digestive system, and it’ll go out somehow. It is what comes out of a man that defiles a man, not what goes in. What makes you a sinner is what you’re thinking, not what you’re eating.”

Why smoking cigarettes, taking alcohol not sins – Pastor Damina

Imo Catholic priest arrested for allegedly shooting teenager dead

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Enyinnaya, has been arrested in Imo State for allegedly shooting a teenage boy d3ad after he threw knockouts inside the church.

The incident happened during the New Year Mass held on January 1, 2025, at St. Columbus Catholic Church in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

A resident claimed that the priest, in a bid to disperse a group of boys setting off knockouts within the church, fired some shots in the air.

“The gun hooked up and while trying to check the firearm, it accidentally discharged and hit one of the boys,” the resident claimed.

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The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with residents expressing outrage and demanding a thorough investigation to uncover the facts behind the unfortunate event.

The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to LIB, adding that an investigation is ongoing.

“We have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the remote facts surrounding the incident. Further development on the case will be communicated in due course, please,” the PPRO stated

Imo Catholic priest arrested for allegedly shooting teenager dead

Italy-based woman’s ex-husband sets her house ablaze in Edo (video)

A 54-year-old Italy-based businesswoman, Tina Uyi, escaped death by whiskers in the wee hours of New Year’s Day after her ex-husband, Osaro Ahunwan, 55, allegedly set her house ablaze in Edo State.

The incident occurred at Iduomwina Street, Off Tipper Road, in Isihor community, Benin city.

Tina sustained third-degree burns in the incident and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed private hospital in Benin city.

The victim was said to have her travel documents and lost a huge sum of money both in local and foreign currencies including packages from her friends in Italy to their loved ones in Nigeria to the inferno.

According to an eyewitness account, Tina who returned to Nigeria from her base in Italy on December 31, 2024, heard a loud bang on her window while coming out from the bathroom

Tina Uyi

The eyewitness revealed that upon inquiry, Tina discovered it was her estranged husband, Osaro who allegedly banged the window, demanding entry into her apartment.

She was said to have allegedly refused to allow her ex-husband into her apartment, claiming that their relationship had ended as her family had returned her bride price since April 2024.

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Osaro was said to have been infuriated by Tina”s refusal to allow him into her house and allegedly threatened to burn down her apartment and harm its occupants

“Despite Tina’s plea for him to leave the promises, Osaro reportedly shattered the glass windows, doused the apartment with Petrol, and set it on fire through the help of a lighter and fuel, leaving the entire apartment completely razed.

“The inferno quickly engulfed the building, but neighbours intervened and successfully rescued Tina’s elderly parents (who are nonagenarians) from the flames,” the eyewitness narrated.

“It took the frantic efforts of men of the Edo State Fire Service to put out the flames that wreaked havoc before their arrival”, the source said.

Tina, who spoke to the Nigerian Tribune from her hospital bed, narrated that sometime in 2023, Osaro had allegedly threatened to kill her and himself as well.

“Osaro destroyed my Lexus(330) Jeep when we had a misunderstanding. He likes too much control and is very suspicious; even when I am out shopping and he calls, as soon as he hears a male’s voice, he abuses me and calls me names,” she narrated.

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“So because of his violent and overbearing character, I decided to quit the marriage that lasted less than 2 years”

It was gathered that the Police in Ekiadolor have arrested the suspect, and his accomplice, Odaro Ovia Robo (Tina’s elder brother), over the incident.

According to the publication, during interrogation, Osaro confessed that Tina’s elder brother, Odaro Oviarobo, popularly known as “OD,” provided him with detailed information about his sister’s (Tina) return itinerary.

He was said to have admitted that he paid Odaro N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) for information and revealed that he had hidden in Odaro’s apartment with the container of petrol.

The suspect further claimed that the lighter used to ignite the fire was also supplied by Odaro.

Sources disclosed that Odaro harboured grievances against his sister, accusing her of withholding financial assistance despite constructing a hotel.

It was further gathered that Tina had previously sponsored Odaro’s trip abroad in 2003, but he returned to Nigeria voluntarily after 10 years, leaving behind his partner and a baby girl.

Since his return, he has reportedly been unemployed and reliant on Tina for financial support.

The spokesperson of the Edo State Command, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident, adding that both Osaro and Odaro remain in police custody as investigation continues.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=619977230686395

Italy-based woman’s ex-husband sets her house ablaze in Edo (video)