Blessing CEO, a self-acclaimed relationship expert, and her partner IVD, a Lagos-based celebrity auto dealer, have deactivated their Instagram accounts. This follows a backlash over her claim of having stage 4 cancer, which she later retracted. Days after soliciting public funds for treatment, she stated in an interview, "I don't have stage 4 cancer. That was a miscommunication." The reversal sparked online outrage, with accusations that she edited another person's medical report to support her claim. Netizens have demanded the return of donations made to her. DAILY POST confirmed the deactivation of their Instagram pages on Sunday evening, amid growing scrutiny.
Blessing CEO's sudden reversal on her cancer claim and the subsequent shutdown of her and IVD's social media accounts suggest an attempt to evade accountability. The fact that donations were collected under false pretenses raises concerns about trust in online fundraising among Nigerian social media users. This incident exposes how easily personal narratives can be manipulated for financial gain. Nigerians who donated may now think twice before responding to similar emotional appeals online.
