Bold, loud, and extremely media-savvy, Blessing CEO has long been a divisive character in Nigeria’s influencer and relationship scene. She is well-known for her unvarnished views and support of mental health; she is as bold as she is misinterpreted. IVD (Ikechukwu Darry Ogbonna) seems cautious and soft-spoken. He founded IVD Autos, a premium vehicle dealership that formerly flourished in Lagos, where he was born and raised. At the age of 19, he started his first business; a car wash in Ajah, which he later expanded. In 2022, the Lagos State government dismantled his showroom, which had been built in 2014.
IVD has ties to the entertainment sector in Nigeria. He previously had the rights to the popular song “Bolanle (Pepper Dem),” which is often linked to Zlatan, but he decided to release it without requesting payments.
Blessing CEO and IVD’s relationship didn’t begin romantically. It started amid trauma and controversy. Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the loss of his late wife, Bimbo Ogbonna, IVD was arrested and held at the Ajah Police Station in 2022. After being detained over the weekend, he was moved to Panti on Monday.
Blessing, who originally learnt about IVD from Daddy Freeze, started advocating for him online throughout this tempest. “I wasn’t his kind of person,” Blessing said. “But I became a support system.” Their journey began when her support resulted in the loss of her Instagram account and incarceration over defamation.
IVD disclosed that he made two attempts at suicide. He claimed that the stress of trauma, slander, and sadness almost shattered him. Blessing came in as a stabilising influence in his life, not only as a therapist. “She started counselling me, and from there, the relationship started,” IVD stated.
Blessing had a strong protective instinct. She said, “You’ll pass through me before you touch him.” She publicly denounced what she called IVD’s in-laws’ bullying. IVD said that the family of his late wife paid bloggers to disparage him and relocated three of his automobiles and other goods. He says he disproved a rumour that he had HIV with three tests at Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Lagos. The cars were retrieved from the family by the police, but nothing else was found. IVD added that it has been more than three years since he last saw his five children. Two of the children, Paris and Ebubechukwu, were relocated to Abuja before being subsequently returned to Okokomaiko with the rest of their siblings.
His in-law is said to have stated “I will deprive you of that fatherly love, you won’t see your dad” in a recorded conversation. The most startling admission was made by Okpui an old friend of IVD’s who allegedly admitted to being sent by the in-law to poison him. To prove this, a call was put through and she stated, “You’ll put the poison in his food, otherwise, his drink.” That conversation was recorded and submitted in court. The idea was to frame Sonnie, IVD’s manager, who was in charge of his meals.
Blessing talked candidly about her past as well. When she shared how she got married at the age of 18, right after starting university, it became her first viral moment. “He made me comfortable with money, worked in a bank, and was 14 years older than me.” She had fled the violent marriage by the age of 21. “I received two slaps even on my wedding day,”
She initially ran an anonymous romance page called Break or Makeup, which lost popularity due to the notorious “Onye Eze” house incident, in which she was charged with making a bogus claim to a home after being identified as the face behind the page. She rebranded herself, became silent, and obtained her certification.
When asked how they met, Blessing CEO recounted meeting IVD in person for the first time after his initial suicide attempt, and the second time when he came into her office. “He looked so cute in his jalabia,” Blessing grinned. While she was incarcerated, she came to realise how much she loved him. “He repeatedly asked, ‘Can we exchange? Can I go in your place? You don’t deserve this.’ That’s when I realised.”
Blessing claimed that IVD restored her sense of security. “I stopped being feminine because of trauma,” she stated. She maintains that he has never disrespected his late wife and has never been aggressive towards her, despite what the public believes.
IVD stated “I will never be unfaithful to her. I want to properly adore her. However, she must go if she cheats. I don’t share.” Blessing CEO however stated “Even if he cheats, I’d forgive him.” Although Blessing typically cautions women against it, they both have each other’s phone passwords. “Don’t do everything I tell you,” she laughed.
Regarding family, he tried to connect with her three kids. He brought a football on his first visit and offered them ₦5,000 for each goal they scored. They had never seen a man with their mom so they were overjoyed. Blessing also talked about a fake proposal video with a different man. It was a stunt.
Regarding their upcoming wedding, she tried on 36 wedding dresses and each time, IVD broke down in tears because he’d only ever had a traditional wedding. (With his late wife, Bimbo Ogbonna)
“Men, speak up,” Blessing said, closing the discussion with forceful advice for men. “Avoid bottling stuff up“
She also said to single moms: “You’re naturally self-sufficient. People will come if you offer value. Although having a spouse or kids is advantageous, you should first establish your independence. There is hope as long as there is life. God will provide you with assistance from strangers.”
