Social media personality and relationship commentator Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has continued to attract public attention following her admission that she falsely claimed to have breast cancer to receive financial support from Nigerians.
During an interview with social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, Blessing CEO admitted that a medical examination had detected a lump in her breast but that it was not cancerous. She said she deliberately presented the condition as cancer because she wanted financial assistance.
She attributed her decision to financial pressure linked to a dispute involving a man identified as Dr Onuoha Okeigwe.
The admission represents a major reversal of her earlier public position. In April, she had maintained that she was battling cancer and disclosed receiving ₦13 million in donations. The controversy later attracted scrutiny from the Nigerian Medical Association in Delta State, which said a medical report circulated in connection with the claim belonged to another patient.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission also arraigned her on charges relating to the fundraising campaign. She pleaded not guilty, and the allegations remain before the court.
In a fresh development reported on Saturday, November 14, Blessing CEO declined to discuss the controversy when contacted by Punch, saying she was still mourning the death of her son.
Her admission has raised serious questions about public fundraising, influencer accountability and the trust Nigerians place in online personalities. The separate criminal proceedings, however, remain matters for the court to determine.
