Lagos Hands Over Amputee Water Hawker To NGO, N25m Raised

Mary Daniel, the 27-year-old amputee hawker, has received over
N25m in donations from kind-hearted individuals from within and
outside Nigeria.

The single mother, who used to hawk bottled water in traffic in
the Oshodi area of Lagos, is now set to have a new lease of life
with plans to establish her business being finalised by a committee
comprising a non-governmental organisation, Irede Foundation, a
lawyer from the state Ministry of Justice and a social worker from
the Ministry of Youth and Social Services.

The Kogi-born woman had told our correspondent during her 27th
birthday on Friday about her intention to establish a supermarket
and employ two workers.

Daniel’s status took a dramatic turnaround after her moving
story was reported by Saturday PUNCH.

For fear that she might fall prey to fraudsters due to huge
donations pouring into her bank account, the Lagos State Government
took over her welfare and put her in protective custody.

On Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
on Civic Engagement, Aderemi Adebowale, handed her over to a
committee, including Irede Foundation and Onu (King) of Igala in
Lagos, Mr Sanni Yakubu, to assist her in setting up a business.

The handing over was done in the presence of a senior police
officer who represented the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem
Odumosu.

Adebowale said, “When Mary Daniel came here on April 13, for
safety and security because of the donations she got, she had over
N14m in her account. But today (Wednesday), she has over N25m. We
still want to protect her even though she is not from this state.
Today, Civic Engagement has handed her over to a special worker in
the Ministry of Youth and Social Services, a lawyer in the Ministry
of Justice and an NGO, the Irede Foundation.”

The SA stated that Daniel would be residing with Yakubu until
she gets her own accommodation and starts a business.

She added, “We have protected her and handed her over to people
that will help her plan her life going forward.”

Mary Daniel, the 27-year-old amputee hawker, has received over
N25m in donations from kind-hearted individuals from within and
outside Nigeria.

The single mother, who used to hawk bottled water in traffic in
the Oshodi area of Lagos, is now set to have a new lease of life
with plans to establish her business being finalised by a committee
comprising a non-governmental organisation, Irede Foundation, a
lawyer from the state Ministry of Justice and a social worker from
the Ministry of Youth and Social Services.

The Kogi-born woman had told our correspondent during her 27th
birthday on Friday about her intention to establish a supermarket
and employ two workers.

Daniel’s status took a dramatic turnaround after her moving
story was reported by Saturday PUNCH.

For fear that she might fall prey to fraudsters due to huge
donations pouring into her bank account, the Lagos State Government
took over her welfare and put her in protective custody.

On Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
on Civic Engagement, Aderemi Adebowale, handed her over to a
committee, including Irede Foundation and Onu (King) of Igala in
Lagos, Mr Sanni Yakubu, to assist her in setting up a business.

The handing over was done in the presence of a senior police
officer who represented the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem
Odumosu.

Adebowale said, “When Mary Daniel came here on April 13, for
safety and security because of the donations she got, she had over
N14m in her account. But today (Wednesday), she has over N25m. We
still want to protect her even though she is not from this state.
Today, Civic Engagement has handed her over to a special worker in
the Ministry of Youth and Social Services, a lawyer in the Ministry
of Justice and an NGO, the Irede Foundation.”

The SA stated that Daniel would be residing with Yakubu until
she gets her own accommodation and starts a business.

She added, “We have protected her and handed her over to people
that will help her plan her life going forward.”