An emotional appeal for forgiveness has come from social media personality Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, as she reflects on her past conduct and the hurt her words and actions may have caused others.
In a video shared on Instagram, she admitted that she had made careless remarks about situations and suffering she had never personally experienced, adding that she now understands the pain her comments could have inflicted on others.
Seeking another opportunity to rebuild relationships with those she had offended, the influencer appealed to people who had withdrawn their love and support to give her a second chance.
Describing her return as that of the prodigal son in the Bible, Blessing said she was ready to turn a new page, having learnt some difficult lessons from her past mistakes.
“I am so sorry. Why are you looking at me? What do you want me to do? Tell me, because I am confused. My brain is so numb, and the only thing I see is darkness. Everything is just a blur before my eyes. Go ahead and mock me. Yes, throw my own words and mistakes in my face. Maybe I would learn that way,” she said.
Expressing deeper remorse, she added: “I am so, so sorry for speaking carelessly about pains I have never felt. I am sorry, so sorry, because I am realising that talk is cheap, but actions speak louder.”
The influencer acknowledged that she was human and capable of making mistakes, but noted that every action came with consequences.
“I am only human, with blood flowing through my veins, so I am bound to make mistakes. Mistakes have a price, and that is what I am paying for now, with my tears. I am so broken to the point that I am losing myself. Pray for me because I am exhausted from praying by myself,” she said.
Appealing to those who had become disappointed in her, Blessing maintained that she was not ashamed of returning to seek forgiveness and rebuild relationships.
“To those who no longer love me because of my actions, I am sorry. I am back home like the prodigal son in the Bible, and I am not ashamed of coming back home, where I had abundance, instead of eating crumbs on the street,” she said.
She further described her apology as an opportunity to begin again after recognising the consequences of her conduct.
The influencer also used the opportunity to remember her second son, Bryan, who died on June 8, expressing how much his death had affected the family.
Addressing the deceased child affectionately as Dum Dum, Blessing said she remained committed to making amends and living in a way that would make him proud.
“To my son who passed away. Dum Dum, as I call you, I miss you, and I promise to correct every wrong and keep making you proud in heaven. Your brother misses you too, including Granny, your bestie Amara, and Daddy. We miss you so much,” she said.
She expressed hope that her late son was resting peacefully and watching over the family as their guardian angel.
Meanwhile, her partner, celebrity car dealer Ikechukwu Ogbonna, popularly known as IVD, has also appealed for forgiveness from family members, friends and business associates over his past actions.
In a statement shared on social media, IVD described the past five years as a period of prolonged struggles and personal battles, adding that he had been making efforts to correct his mistakes.
“To my family, friends, and business partners. It’s been five years of endless battles, also trying to retract all my mistakes. I pray for God’s mercy and forgiveness. In any way I have hurt anyone, I pray for forgiveness. I am only human. I am not a perfect person,” he wrote.
He added that he had sought God's forgiveness and mercy, describing himself as someone who had received divine compassion.
The latest apologies come amid a series of controversies involving the couple.
In January, Blessing attracted widespread criticism following her breast cancer fundraising appeal. She had announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and solicited financial support for surgery, prompting intense debate across social media platforms.
She subsequently described the controversy as a “miscommunication” and disclosed that she received N13 million in donations.
Blessing's recent legal troubles also came into focus earlier this year when she was arrested and arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 9, 2026, over alleged obtaining money by false pretence and stealing involving N69.15 million.
According to the commission, she allegedly collected the money from Onuoha Okeigwe, a prosecution witness, for a five-year lease of a property she was accused of falsely presenting as her own.
She, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge and was later released after meeting her bail conditions.
Meanwhile, her partner, IVD, has also faced legal and public scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the death of his former wife, Bimbo, in October 2022.
The controversy intensified after Bimbo's family accused him of domestic abuse, allegations he disputed. IVD had also claimed that his late wife was violent during their marriage.
In 2023, the Lagos State Government charged him with involuntary manslaughter in connection with her death, while Bimbo's sister accused him of killing her at their Lekki residence.
The couple's relationship later took a new turn when Blessing and IVD announced their engagement in April 2025.