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Pastor Abel Damina Claims Offerings Are Spent by Men, Not God Pastor Abel Damina Provokes Debate by Claiming Offerings Are Spent by Men, Not God In a bold declaration that challenges traditional church doctrine, Pastor Abel Damina has asserted that church offerings and tithes are not intended for divine use but are spent by men. The founder of Abel Damina Ministries International (ADMI) has reignited controversy within Christian circles with comments made during a recent sermon that quickly went viral. Damina’s statement was straightforward and provocative: “No offering goes to heaven; men spend it every time we gather offerings. All the offerings we give to God go to men.” This assertion questions the widely held belief among many believers that their contributions are directly sent to heaven or used solely for divine purposes. The preacher is known for his unconventional views and outspoken attitude toward mainstream Christian teachings. Previously, he has sparked debates by suggesting that practices such as smoking and drinking are not sins in Christianity, further illustrating his willingness to challenge orthodox doctrines. During the sermon, Damina also criticized pastors who manipulate congregations by promising that tithing will open the doors of heaven. He pointed out that these doors have been open since Jesus’ resurrection, and that such claims are mere psychological tactics: “The doors have never been closed; they are just working on people’s minds,” he said. Addressing the backlash over his stance on tithing, Damina accused some pastors of hypocrisy. “Some say I’m evil because I say you shouldn’t pay tithe, that I and my children should pay tithe,” he explained. “They only talk like that to keep collecting money from people. If they stopped, they wouldn’t get anything,” he added. He further alleged that many clergy demanding tithes from their followers do not practice what they preach. “Most of these pastors are greedy; they collect from everyone but don’t pay anyone,” he claimed. Damina’s transparency and critical attitude have endeared him to some skeptics while infuriating traditionalists within the church. This outspoken stance has stirred a wider conversation about transparency, the true purpose of tithes and offerings, and the integrity of certain religious leaders. With his provocative comments, Damina continues to challenge believers to think critically about longstanding religious practices and teachings. #gisthub

Too Much Seasoning, Too Little Health: The Silent Danger in Your Kitchen” Let’s talk about something sitting quietly in almost every Nigerian kitchen seasoning cubes. You know them well. The “flavour masters.” The small but mighty cubes that transform a basic pot of soup into something your neighbours will smell three compounds away. But here’s the not-so-sweet truth: those little blocks of magic could be slowly damaging your health, one delicious bite at a time. 1. Seasoning Cubes Are Sodium Bombs in Disguise Seasoning cubes are more than just spices. They’re loaded with salt (sodium) and MSG (monosodium glutamate). Yes, they taste amazing, but too much sodium can silently harm your heart and kidneys. Tired all the time? Swollen feet? High blood pressure at a young age? Your seasoning habit could be one of the hidden culprits. 2. “But I Don’t Even Add Salt!” That Doesn’t Mean You’re Safe This is where most people miss it. You don’t need to sprinkle salt for your sodium levels to be too high. Just one or two cubes per meal might already exceed the recommended daily limit. And when you combine that with salty snacks, suya, white bread, and processed foods… your body is overloaded before you even realize it. 3. Your Kidneys Are Not Indestructible Your kidneys work hard every day to filter your blood and manage your body’s salt balance. But constantly forcing them to process excess sodium? That’s like making them work overtime every single day with no rest. Over time, fatigue, swelling, and even kidney failure can sneak in. And once those symptoms show up, treatment is often expensive and stressful. 4. MSG Reactions Are Real — Even if You Haven’t Noticed Yet Some people are sensitive to MSG and don’t even realize it. It can cause headaches, sweating, tingling, a fast heartbeat, anxiety, or a general “off” feeling after eating. So if you’ve ever finished a tasty meal and felt strangely uncomfortable afterward… it might be your body quietly protesting. 5. How to Keep Your Food Tasty and Safe Don’t worry no one’s asking you to eat bland meals. There are plenty of ways to keep your food rich and flavourful without overloading on cubes: ✅ Use real ingredients: onions, garlic, ginger, local herbs, curry, thyme, scent leaf, turmeric, uziza… all packed with natural flavour. ✅ Cut down gradually: Instead of 3 cubes, try 1. Your taste buds will adjust over time. ✅ Taste first, cube later: Most times, the food is already well-seasoned. ✅ Educate with love: Help others around you (mama, aunty, house help) understand this. It’s not criticism, it’s care. 🍲 Final Word: Let Your Food Heal, Not Harm You deserve to enjoy delicious meals — but not at the cost of your health. That sweet stew, that rich jollof, that smoky native soup — let it be both enjoyable and safe. Because life is already hard enough — your food shouldn’t be what slowly breaks you down.

Hey Fam (@ PLWSCD) Copied! Don’t Be Like Me – Take Your Malaria Prophylaxis Seriously I haven’t been in excellent health lately, hence the pause in my writing, but I’m much better today. Ironically, a friend suggested I write about malaria prophylaxis on Friday, and by Saturday night, malaria showed up as if to remind me, “Hey, you haven’t done anything in a while to prevent me!” 😅 Let’s talk malaria prophylaxis because it matters, especially for people living with sickle cell disease (PLWSCD). What is Malaria Prophylaxis? Malaria prophylaxis refers to preventive measures, especially medications, taken to reduce the risk of contracting malaria. While it doesn’t offer 100% protection, it significantly lowers your chances of infection, which is particularly crucial in malaria-endemic areas. Why is it Vital for People Living with SCD? PLWSCD face higher risks of severe malaria complications such as: Life-threatening anemia Cerebral malaria Acute chest syndrome Malaria accelerates the destruction of red blood cells (both sickled and normal), leading to haemolysis; something that already occurs more frequently in sickle cell patients. It’s like adding salt to an already open wound. This can trigger a crisis, cause a drastic drop in haemoglobin, and further worsen anemia. Malaria also impairs the bone marrow’s ability to produce new red blood cells, making recovery even more difficult. That’s why malaria in PLWSCD is far more than just "a fever"; it’s a serious threat. The Benefits of Prophylaxis Consistent malaria prophylaxis can: Reduce malaria infections Minimize sickle cell crises Improve haemoglobin levels Lower the need for blood transfusions Decrease hospitalizations Recommended Prophylactic Options 🔹 Proguanil (Paludrine) Common first-line option for PLWSCD Taken daily 🔹 Fansidar (Pyrimethamine + Sulfadoxine) Taken monthly Useful in areas with drug resistance So, learn from my moment of forgetfulness: don’t slack on your malaria prevention routine. With grasses growing fast and stagnant water creating mosquito breeding grounds this season, it’s even more important to stay vigilant. Most blood transfusions in PLWSCD are triggered by malaria. Let’s protect ourselves, stay consistent with prophylaxis, and reduce unnecessary crises. Don’t be like me, be better. #liveyourlifenotyourgenotype #plwscd Chika Okeke ✍️