Nigerian relationship therapist and social media personality, Blessing CEO, has recounted her five-month detention in prison, her struggles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the emotional pain of losing her nine-year-old son.
Blessing CEO, whose real name is Blessing Okoro, shared the experiences while reflecting on her time in custody, the financial and emotional sacrifices made by her family to secure her release, and her efforts to cope with the death of her son.
She disclosed that she prayed persistently during her detention but, at some point, became upset with God, believing her prayers had gone unanswered.
“When I went to EFCC, I prayed morning, afternoon, night. At the end of the day, everything played out the way it did. I told God that His will should be done. At a time, I was upset with God. I refused to pray. I believed He ignored me while I was in there,” she said.
The social media personality also recounted how her mother pledged to sell everything she owned to secure her release, while other family members and friends made efforts to raise the money required to meet the conditions for her release.
According to Blessing CEO, her family borrowed money and made significant sacrifices as they navigated the legal processes surrounding her detention.
She said she faced three cases involving the EFCC, with proceedings before three judges, and disclosed that the matters included financial allegations involving N36 million and N69 million, as well as other issues.
Blessing CEO further alleged that even after the conditions for her release had been met, delays prevented her from leaving custody for another five months.
She said the experience taught her patience, adding that fellow inmates regularly prayed for her release.
However, she disclosed that her freedom did not bring the happiness she had anticipated because she was confronted with the devastating loss of her son.
“I didn’t come out to the best of news. I didn’t come out excited because I lost something I couldn’t get back. I came out knowing that wherever my son is, he wants to be proud of his mother,” she said.
Reflecting on her son’s death, Blessing CEO described him as a peaceful, kind and selfless child who spoke with unusual maturity for his age.
She revealed that her son had chronic asthma and frequently suffered attacks triggered by physical activity, sweating or exposure to cold.
According to her, she had been in and out of the hospital with him since his birth because of his medical condition.
She also disclosed that she later learnt her son had been using two inhalers while she was in custody.
The social media personality said she continued to reflect on whether there was anything she could have done differently, particularly after learning that her son had reportedly died at about 6:30 a.m. on a Monday in the hospital.
She added that her son had spoken about dreaming of his own death to his brother, Darell, her sister, Precious, and her father, but had not shared the experience with her.
Blessing CEO said she had since been working towards forgiving herself and coming to terms with the painful experience.
“I had to forgive myself and I have decided to bribe God and I know He’ll help me pass this phase of my life,” she said.
She concluded by inviting her followers to join her on what she described as a spiritual journey centred on Jesus Christ, promising that the next phase of her life would be an outspoken expression of her faith.
“Come on this journey with me. The journey of Jesus Christ. It’s going to be loud, very loud,” she added.
