Finding peace and letting go of bitterness has become a new mission for Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Tonto Dikeh. Following her reconciliation with her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, she shared that the experience inspired her to guide other women toward forgiveness and family harmony.
In the wake of making peace with Churchill, hundreds of women reached out to the actress for advice. They were eager to learn her secret to forgiveness and how she managed to move past the deep-seated issues that had previously shattered her relationship.
While she could not respond to everyone individually, the actress said she decided to personally reach out to women whose experiences were similar to hers.
According to Dikeh, her efforts have already yielded positive results, with at least 10 women reportedly reconciling with their partners. She described the development as evidence of how God had transformed a difficult chapter of her life into an opportunity to bring healing and restoration to others.
She said, “Ever since my reconciliation with my ex-husband, hundreds of women have reached out asking the same question: How did you learn to forgive?
“While I couldn’t reply to everyone, I reached out to those whose pain mirrored my own. Today, to the glory of God, at least 10 women have been reconciled, restoring peace, healing hearts, and stepping into healthy co-parenting. God has truly turned my personal story into a tool for restoration.”
The actress, who has previously spoken about forgiveness and personal healing, urged women carrying resentment to understand that letting go of bitterness is ultimately about freeing themselves from the emotional weight of past experiences.
“If you are carrying bitterness today, please hear this,” she said.
“Forgiveness is never for the person who hurt you; it is for you. It is the key to moving your life forward. God will not inflict pain on others just because we are hurting.
“It is our own responsibility to release that weight and set ourselves free.”
Dikeh also stressed that genuine closure does not necessarily come from the people involved in a painful experience, but from faith and an individual’s relationship with God.
“True closure doesn’t come from people; it comes from God,” she stated.
She further drew on her Christian faith to encourage women who have endured difficult seasons, saying God can restore what appears to have been lost over the years.
“He promises to restore the years that the cankerworm has eaten. Not just days or weeks, but years. Every tear you’ve shed and every year spent in pain will be turned into a powerful testimony,” she added.
Dikeh and Churchill’s relationship was widely followed during their marriage, separation and the period that followed. The former couple share a son, and their eventual reconciliation has since become part of the actress’ message to people dealing with strained family relationships.
Beyond reconciliation between couples, Dikeh also highlighted the value of healthy co-parenting, particularly in situations where parents may not remain together but still have the responsibility of raising their children.
“To every woman praying for peace, healing, and family restoration: may my story be a beacon of hope for you and yours. Amen,” she said.
For Dikeh, the journey from a troubled relationship to reconciliation has taken on a broader meaning. She now sees her experience as a way of encouraging women facing similar struggles to release bitterness, seek healing and, where possible, work towards peace and healthier family relationships.