- NCPC Says It’s a ‘figment of her imagination’
- ‘I wouldn’t fight this, But will walk away’ — Tonto Dikeh
By Oyinlola Awonuga Balogun (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh and some Nigerians have reacted to the dismissal of Dikeh’s claim by the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) that she has been appointed as peace ambassador for the Commission.
Tonto Dikeh had through her Instagram page gleefully shared the news of her appointment as peace ambassador for NCPC.
But the NCPC has come out to refute the actress’ claim, describing it as a “figment of her imagination.”
Reacting through a statement signed on Friday by Celestine Toruka, Head, Media and Public Relations (NCPC), the commission stated that the claim was a clear misinterpretation of what transpired when Tonto Dikeh paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev Yakubu Pam on Thursday.
The Commission further stated that the claim by her was “spurious, unfounded”, and should be “discarded and seen by all Nigerians as a figment of her imagination.”
The statement read “The NCPC wishes to state in categorical terms that King Tonto Dikeh paid an official courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission Rev Yakubu Pam on 25th February 2021 at the corporate headquarters of the Commission in Abuja.
“As the founder of Tonto Dikeh Foundation, she expressed her willingness and interest in partnering with the Commission in the area of peace building. She equally cashed in on the visit to commend the NCPC boss for his positive and relentless peace initiatives across the country.
“However, we are suddenly inundated with claims from King Tonto Dikeh herself that she has been officially appointed as Ambassador of peace by this great Commission. This claim has gone virile in the media.
“The Commission frowns at this claim which is a clear misrepresentation of what transpired.
“The fact remains that the Executive Secretary of NCPC never appointed King Tonto Dikeh an Ambassador of Peace for NCPC and this was not part of her visit therefore this claim by her is spurious, unfounded and should be discarded and seen by all Nigerians as a figment of her imagination.
“Nevertheless, we appreciate her desire to partner with us in our peace building initiatives and in the area of pilgrimage sponsorship to the Holy Land.”
Reacting to this, Tonto Dikeh took to her Instagram page and wrote; “My Name Is Tonto Dikeh Best Believe I will Never Lie On A Human Being Talk More Of A Commission Of A Federation, I Will Only Simply Say This Is Life We All Know What Can Go Wrong In 1Sec, But We Move….Coming From A Place Of Leadership I Wouldn’t Fight This But I Will Walk Away With My Head High And Grow Above It….Thanks.”
This has also sparked reactions amongst Nigerians on Twitter, who had shared pictures from her meeting with NCPC which was initially mistaken for her appointment, before the NCPC thrashed the viral reports.
- Read Some Harvested Reactions
“Someone that was not able to maintain peace in her home, came online to tell the world how her husband is a few sec man wants to go and maintain peace in the 6 geopolitical zones ??” https://t.co/rpnLkA8l6B @ThatEnuguDude
“Did she wear a transparent top to rep a Christian association.” Toor.@alitunnis
“Appointing Tonto was a sin, now denying it again, is still a sin.which ever way they go,is a sin, allowing her into the place at first is a sin too Let’s drag them” 😂@Chidi Johnson12
