The Lagos State government on Thursday explained its decision to hand over Mary Daniel, the amputee sachet water hawker to a committee, comprising her kinsmen, comprising the leader of the Igala (Kogi) community in Lagos, and others.
The special adviser to the Lagos State governor on civic engagement, Aderemi Adebowale, in a statement signed by Sola Ogunmosunle, director of public affairs, Office of Civic Engagement, said the handing over of Daniel to the committee with policemen involved was to ensure her safety and protection, especially with the huge sums donated to her by good spirited Nigerians.
Adebowale, while handing over Daniel to her kinsmen stated that the state government would continue to protect all residents of Lagos, especially the vulnerable.
Recall that the amputee, whose story has attracted widespread attention, particularly in the social media, has been in the safe custody of the state government in the past two weeks.
Adebowale said the government took the step to shield Daniel from possible fraudsters who may target the funds donated to her by well-meaning Nigerians.
According to the special adviser, the ultimate desire of the state government is to ensure that Daniel becomes a civically responsible citizen in the state, adding that “she now has the resources to take care of herself and her baby and have a new lease of life”.
Daniel was handed over to a committee comprising of the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and the leader of Igala community in Lagos State, Sanni Yakubu Ejima in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer, Alausa and representative of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
The special adviser, while handing over Daniel to the leader of the Igalas in the state, explained that the police were brought in to the handing over to demonstrate that the state had taken good care of Daniel while in its custody and to ensure her safety thereafter.
Adebowale added that the committee is to oversee Daniel’s rehabilitation and ensure that the donated funds are judiciously utilised in the improvement of her standard of living and that of her baby.
