The welfare of Mary Daniel, the 26-year-old amputee hawker and single mother whose picture went viral on the internet has been taken over by the Government of Lagos State, Njenje Media News reports.
The story of Mary, an amputee with one leg, seen hawking pure water in the Oshodi area of Lagos State has trended on many social media platforms over the weekend, with many Nigerians rising to seek help and support for her.
Princess Aderemi Adebowale, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Civic Engagement, in a statement on Tuesday said a temporary shelter has been provided for Miss Mary.
Adebowale affirmed that Daniel was on temporary protective custody in the meantime when further plans would be concluded by the government to get her an apartment and empower her.
She said that the move became necessary in order to protect the physically challenged woman from abuse and risk.
According to her, Daniel, an indigene of Ayingba, Kogi, who just moved to Lagos two weeks ago, hawked table water in traffic in Oshodi to earn a living.
”The case of Mary (Daniel) was brought to my attention by the Managing Director, Lagos State Lotteries Board and two politicians from Oshodi who expressed concern about her safety, as some kind-hearted individuals have started sending money to her account to assist her,” she said.
Adebowale said that after her interaction with Daniel, it was agreed that the present administration should take over the case to ensure her personal safety, hence the involvement of the state government.
The special adviser said that she would personally look over Daniel as a guardian and make sure that she was properly settled in Lagos and become a responsible citizen. (NAN/Njenje Media)
