Popular Nigerian actress and media personality Ariyike Owolagba, widely known as Ariyiike Dimples, has shared a deeply personal story about why she stopped attending her community church for three consecutive years.
The Incident That Changed Everything
During her appearance on the Open Up podcast, Ariyiike revealed that everything began when a church elder confronted her about her choice of clothing during a service. The actress had worn what she described as a simple pencil skirt to church, which she considered appropriate and modest.
The situation escalated when the woman told Ariyiike she would "go to hell" for wearing the outfit. This harsh condemnation left the young actress feeling deeply shocked, judged, and frustrated by the experience.
Community Dynamics and Aftermath
Ariyiike explained the context of her community church, noting that "na only elderly people full there. Young people don commot go other churches." She expressed her belief that while churches can maintain their doctrines, there are better ways to communicate with younger members without resorting to condemnation.
The matter didn't end with the initial confrontation. The church elder took the extraordinary step of reporting Ariyiike to her father, forcing the actress to send a picture of the controversial skirt to her mother to prove she wasn't dressed indecently.
The Decision to Leave and Faith Journey
Ariyiike's father believed in the concept of community raising a child, which ultimately led her to make the difficult decision to avoid the community church completely rather than face ongoing scrutiny and judgment.
Despite this painful experience, Ariyiike was careful to clarify that she didn't abandon her Christian faith during those three years. She emphasized that she only stayed away from that particular church and remains a practicing Christian today.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenge many young Nigerians face in balancing modern fashion choices with traditional religious expectations, and the importance of communication between different generations within religious communities.
