The viral video and pictures of a Lagos amputee street pure water hawker has brought her help from the most unexpected quarters.
In an interview with Saturday Punch 26-year-old Mary Daniel said she had an accident at the age of 10 with her parents in a fully loaded 16-sitter bus.
They were travelling to Ayingba, Kogi State from Katsina for the Christmas celebrations when the accident occurred.
Mary said turned out the only the survivor in the car crash and was helped to the hospital by good Samaritans.
The doctors amputated her leg to save her life, according to her.
With no help from anywhere, Mary said she dropped out of J S 2, ditched her dreams of becoming a lawyer and relocated to Onitsha, Anambra State to sell pure water so she could cater for herself and her aged grandmother.
She further narrated how she was impregnated by a man who denied responsibility for the pregnancy. Out of shame, she left Onitsha and moved to Delta State.
Miss Daniel moved to Lagos only 2 weeks ago and sleeps on the streets, under the bridge or anywhere she finds shelter.
Okorocha’s son-in-law and former governorship candidate of Imo State, Uche Nwosu invited Mary to lunch and donated N1,000,000 for her rehabilitation.
Moved by her story, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, through his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Aderemi Adebowale said on Monday that the state government had taken the amputee hawker to protective custody.
He added that the government is also making plans to get her an apartment and set up a proper business for her.
According to him, “The case of Mary (Daniel) was brought my attention this afternoon (Monday) by the Managing Director, Lottery Board. Two politicians from Oshodi brought her with her ATM card. They said they were concerned about her safety as donations have been coming into her account.
“We asked if she wanted the state government to take up her case and help her settle down and she agreed. That is why the Office of Civic Engagement Under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is taking over her case. I have called the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development. She would be settled in a home in Ikorodu for about a week.
“I will be her guardian and make sure she is properly settled in Lagos. We will make sure she becomes a responsible citizen in Lagos,” Adebowale said.
Meanwhile, Mary is seen on the streets with her bowl of pure water securely balanced on her head, wearing a t-shirt that appears to scream her motivation: “NO PAIN, NO GAIN !”
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Shame of a nation that has no plan whatsoever for anybody than to be in a position and embezzle the whole money for themselves and generation unborn. Politicians want to gain cheap popularity now as if they love the lady, they are now taking advantage of the situation.