The Lagos State Government says it has handed over the amputee sachet water hawker, Mary Daniel, to leaders of Igala Community in Lagos State.
Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Civic Engagement, made this known in a statement signed by Mr Sola Ogunmosunle, Director, Public Affairs Department, Office of Civic Engagement, on Thursday, April 29, in Lagos.
Adebowale said that the state government would continue to protect all residents in the state, especially the vulnerable.
Mary Daniel, 27, who went viral and received donations from Nigerians, had been in the custody of the state government in the past two weeks.
Adebowale said the state government did this to shield Daniel from possible fraudsters who might target the funds donated to her by well-meaning Nigerians.
She said that Daniel was handed over to a committee comprising the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
She said that other committee members at the handing over were Mr Sanni Ejima, Leader of Igala Community in Lagos; Divisional Police Officer, Alausa and representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
Adebowale explained that the police were present at the handover to show that the state had taken proper care of Daniel, while in its custody, and to ensure her safety thereafter.
She said that the committee was to oversee Daniel’s rehabilitation and ensure that the donated funds were judiciously utilised to improve her standard of living and that of her baby.
According to her, the ultimate desire of the state government is to ensure that Daniel becomes a civically responsible citizen in the state.
Adebowale said: “She now has the resources to take care of herself and her baby and have a new lease of life.”
Recall that the Lagos State Government had denied a report that it withheld the N25million donated to Mary Daniel.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said the state had no plans to deny Daniel of her N25 million donation
According to Omotosho, what the government did was to ensure that she was not molested and safe to do whatever she intended to do with the money raised for her.
He added that Mary is free to set up her dream supermarket store in Lagos State since it was in the state that fortune smiled on her.
