Fight To Finish
OpenLife Nigeria reports that in a move that has set Nigerian social media buzzing, crypto entrepreneur Blord has officially launched a new financial services app called “RATEL.” Beyond being just another fintech product, the app carries deep social-media symbolism, as it draws inspiration from the popular movement built by his long-time online rival, VeryDarkMan (VDM).
WHO IS BLORD?
Blord, whose real name is Linus Williams Ifejika, is a Nigerian tech and crypto entrepreneur from the South-East region of Nigeria. He is widely known as the founder of the Blord Group, a conglomerate with interests in cryptocurrency trading, gadget retail, fintech services, and digital investments.
Over the years, Blord has built a strong online presence by promoting wealth creation, crypto adoption, and tech-driven businesses, positioning himself as one of the bold faces of Nigeria’s digital economy.
WHO IS VERYDARKMAN?
VeryDarkMan, born Martins Vincent Otse, hails from Edo State, Nigeria. He rose to prominence as a social media activist, influencer, and self-styled online watchdog. VDM is known for calling out celebrities, brands, and institutions over alleged fraud, exploitation, and social injustice.
His fearless approach earned him massive support online and led to the creation of a loyal fanbase known as the “Ratels.”
The Ratel movement, coined by VDM himself, represents followers who see themselves as fearless truth-seekers—just like the honey badger (ratel animal), known for its toughness and refusal to back down.
THE GENESIS OF THE BLORD –VDM’s FEUD
The rivalry between Blord and VeryDarkMan didn’t start overnight. It dates back over a year ago when accusations of fake iPhones and questionable gadget sales surfaced online. VeryDarkMan openly criticized certain gadget sellers, and many interpreted his comments as subtle or direct shots at Blord’s business empire.
Things escalated when Blord, during one of his online rants, indirectly jabbed at VDM, accusing him of “using another man’s glory to sell containers of gadgets.” That statement ignited a full-blown digital war dragging fans, memes, counter-accusations, and nonstop online banter into the mix.
From that moment, both camps stayed locked in a cold online feud, each move by either man generating massive engagement across Nigerian social media.
THE BIRTH OF THE RATEL MOVEMENT
The RATEL movement was created by VeryDarkMan as a symbol of resistance and fearlessness. He named his fanbase “Ratels” after the honey badger, an animal known for being aggressive, bold, and unafraid of larger opponents.
According to VDM, the purpose of the RATEL movement was simple but powerful:
To stand against fraud and oppression
To call out powerful individuals without fear
To protect ordinary people from exploitation
To create a community of loyalty, truth, and accountability
FROM RIVALRY TO REINVENTION: THE RATEL APP
In a surprising twist, Blord has now launched RATEL, a fintech app built to serve users across Africa .
The app allows users to:
Purchase airtime and mobile data
Pay utility bills
Handle everyday digital payments
In a dramatic launch video shared online, Blord projected ₦500 million in revenue by mid-2026 and announced that 50% of the app’s earnings will go to charity.
What shocked many was his decision to name the app RATEL the very name tied to VeryDarkMan’s movement and fanbase.
ROLLING OR TACTICAL GENIUS?
Some see the move as subtle trolling. Others believe it’s a calculated branding strategy leveraging an already powerful name that represents fearlessness, loyalty, and mass online attention.
Regardless of interpretation, Blord has once again proven his ability to turn controversy into conversation and conversation into business.
The RATEL story is bigger than two men trading jabs online. It reflects the evolving power of influence in Nigeria’s digital age where movements are born on social media, rivalries shape narratives, and attention can be converted into enterprise.
VeryDarkMan built RATEL as a symbol of fearlessness and resistance, while Blord has now redefined it as a tool for financial access across Africa.
Whether viewed as trolling, strategy, or pure business audacity, one truth remains undeniable: in today’s Nigeria, controversy doesn’t just trend it builds brands, fuels movements, and sometimes, creates empires.
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