BLord is generally perceived as someone who lacks integrity, but VDM? Some recent events have put his own integrity to question too.
Before you draw your sword, read!
This is what happens when we make a god out of individuals for their achievements, whether as regards to money, activism or heroism. We forget they're just flesh and blood, prone to the same stumbles as the rest of us.
Trust me, for BLord to get to where he is today, it required some hard work, sacrifices and smartness! No cap! Whether he got there through legitimate means or illegitimate means, he was dedicated to whatever means that took him there. So, I give him credit for that. It’s not in my place to know how he got there until proven guilty.
VDM? He too is big! He made so many sacrifices, so many compromises, became so shameless and focused that today, he is celebrated and nearly worshipped by man. So, I give it to him too. If it's easy, run am!
But then, when people get to certain points in their lives, it's always assumed that they've got their shits together. Some of them got there without certain processes that puts their character in check, and some of them have nobody they answer to or anyone who can call them to order. They're floating high with no anchors, egos running wild.
I remember when VDM called out a real estate company that Pamtech's Julie Ibekwe advertised. Some of us reacted to that and explained that VDM doesn't understand the real estate industry and shouldn’t delve into what he doesn't know.
Well, he silently deleted the video because the backlash was serious. I expected him to honorably retract his statement, he didn’t. This was the first time I marked a lack of honesty or integrity on his part. Just quiet delete, no accountability.
With the recent happenings between him and BLord, it was obvious he didn't understand how business is run and some operations that affects pricing. If he had simply come out to criticize BLord and also advise Nigerians to run away from such "adulterated devices", it would have been great! But this time, activism was turned into venture.
Here is where things go even worse for his "integrity image".
He said he has direct contact of the Chinese company that repackage iPhone XR to look like iPhone 17 Pro. He promised to give out their contact so that Nigerians can buy directly from the company. The problem wasn't just about giving out his sister's phone number as their customer care line, he also pretended like he couldn't pronounce the name well. He also referred to this company as "they..." and gave the perception that he isn't involved one bit in their processes.
When this eventually casted and someone found out his sister's phone number was the so called customer care line, he now openly admitted that of course, he wouldn't just give out the contact of the Chinese company like that but in the same line immediately admitted that even the company he mentioned doesn’t exist, that he simply just set it up. If this was the case, why didn't he made it obvious from the start? Why the whole pretense?
I had also seen people complaining that when they chat the number, they hardly respond and that when they respond, they just say the phone is out of stock. It raises so many questions. But since he has admitted to not only using his sister's phone number but also setting up a company that doesn't exist and claiming that this company is a Chinese company that repackages XR to 17 Pro, I won't go into full analysis of how I perceived the entire shenanigan. It all points to one thing: When the call-out meets the cash opportunity, the lines get blurry, and trust goes poof.
And then BLord messed up again in a very childish manner. Who advises these people? I expected him to play a bigger boys role by being quiet and doing his business. This would have earned him so much respect. Instead, he started paying for VDM's nudes and started posting them on his Instagram. That was so petty and childish. Also, it's illegal! Both of them have engaged in illegal activities that borders on intellectual properties and also moral crimes. And they are the people some young persons look up to?
He didn’t ask questions? There was no way that was going to get to VDM. VDM is shameless and came from a very shameless background on his way to the limelight! VDM literally sold his nudes and the nudes are all over the internet, it's not a secret. I think that was the most childish aspect of this entire unnecessary drama. Beef turns to baby fight, and everybody loses face.
Look, this whole saga is more than just two guys scrapping over fake iPhones. It's a reflection of us: Streets full of knockoffs, buyers getting played left and right, and these online "heroes" preaching justice one minute, then slipping into the same game the next. Our watchdogs are dozing, while influencers double as deal-makers, mixing morals with money grabs. Lesson here: Activism and business don't mix easy. Keep them apart, or your good name sinks fast.
Why am I writing this? It is to warn you that it's dangerous to worship anyone or put anyone on a pedestal. I see people who worship VDM as idiots. You can’t be worshipping and vouching for someone simply because of their activism. These same people worshipped Reno Omokri and some other folks who later changed mouth!
When someone do good, praise them, when they don't, admit that they are human and can make mistakes. Don't see people as infallible. Anchor yourself to what’s right, not who’s loud. That way, when the next big name slips, and they all do, you’re not the one crashing down with them.
No idols, just people.
Credit: Onyedikachukwu George Nnadozie
