Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has publicly challenged the cancer disclosure made by popular relationship therapist and content creator Blessing Okoro, widely known as Blessing CEO, describing the announcement as a manipulative attempt to generate public sympathy and solicit funds for her partner.
The actress posted her claims on Instagram on Wednesday evening, hours after Blessing CEO’s tearful cancer video had gone viral and attracted widespread concern from Nigerians online.
What Blessing CEO said
Earlier this week, Blessing CEO published an emotional video in which she broke down in tears, disclosed that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and asked Nigerians to pray for her. The video generated significant sympathy across social media, with thousands of followers sending messages of support and inquiring about how to assist her.
Sarah Martins’ counter-claims
In her Instagram post, Martins flatly denied the cancer claim, alleging that Blessing CEO resides in the Lakwe area of Lagos and commutes regularly by bus alongside IVD. She also alleged that a Mercedes-Benz recently displayed as a gift was staged for public attention rather than a genuine acquisition. “There’s no money anywhere,” she said.
Martins went further, alleging that both Blessing CEO and IVD are currently experiencing financial difficulties, claiming that assets had been sold to manage their expenses. She described the cancer announcement as a deliberate strategy designed to attract public empathy and donations. “This cancer story is a manipulative stunt to gain sympathy and empathy from Nigerians in order to raise money to start a business for IVD,” she alleged.
Important editorial note
It is critical to state clearly that Sarah Martins’ claims are unverified allegations. RNN.NG has not independently confirmed or denied Blessing CEO’s medical condition. A cancer diagnosis is a serious and sensitive medical matter, and no third party — including Sarah Martins — is in a position to confirm or disprove it without access to verified medical records.
Blessing CEO has not responded directly to Martins’ allegations as of the time of this report.
The controversy comes amid an already tense public dynamic surrounding Blessing CEO and IVD, with the two having previously been the subject of online scrutiny over their relationship and financial lifestyle. Many Nigerians online are now calling for verified medical evidence before drawing conclusions, while others have sided with Martins’ scepticism.
Blessing CEO is widely known as a relationship commentator with a large social media following, and has previously been at the centre of several public controversies involving Nigerian celebrities.