The pathetic story of Mary Daniel, an amputee single mother hawking bottled water on highways in the Oshodi area of Lagos State has elicited emotions from Nigerians.
A number of people said they were left teary after reading her heartrending encounters with fate in Saturday PUNCH and commended her courage in the face of adversities, rallying support for her so she could have a new lease of life.
Our correspondent had narrated how 26-year-old Daniel began to live through a gruelling life after losing her parents and her right leg to an accident in December 2006 while they were travelling to their hometown in Kogi State from Katsina State for Yuletide.
Dropping out at Junior Secondary School 3, she took to the streets in Anambra State, selling sachet water to fend for herself and her aged grandmother.
She was impregnated in 2018 by her fiancé who she said denied responsibility for the pregnancy, forcing her to relocate to Delta State out of shame.
Daniel continued the arduous trade in the oil-rich state even after giving birth. She relocated to Lagos about two weeks ago, hawking bottled water in chaotic traffic and passing the night on the balcony of a building on Suwebatu Street, Oshodi.
Emotions ran high on the social media on Saturday as many people sought help for the orphan while praising her unrivalled grit.
On Facebook, one Emmanuel Oluwadara expressed empathy over the harrowing times Daniel went through and promised to help in his little way.
He said, “So sorry about what you’ve been going through. I can’t stop crying. You stated you used to pray and you believe you’ll prosper. I believe God has put an end to your struggles. A new chapter has been opened for you from today. God will open the windows of heaven for you. I’ll try my part.”
Ebenezer Dadzie said he could not fight back tears reading the orphan’s plight and prayed that she found help.
He stated, “I read this story this morning (Saturday) and for most of the sentences I read, I dropped tears. Life is very hard, and there are many things that happen to us that we have no control over. I pray she finds some blessings with this story. What broke my heart though is that for most of her experience and suffering, I see the failure of African leadership and governance representing strongly.”
Another reader with the alias Baba Glo Pos said “I stopped reading the article when I can no longer control my emotion.” One Esther Peter said Daniel’s story was touching and she “was so emotional” reading it.
“Tears, tears and more tears. I have sent my support to her in my own capacity. Please everybody should try,” another reader, Ogonna Eze, wrote.
Also moved by Daniel’s ordeal, Hope Goodluck, urged people to give her financial support. “At least let’s get her a shop and stock it,” he added.
A woman, Olafisoye Temidayo, said pitying Daniel is not enough and called for assistance “that can transform her life to better; we should not allow hunger to kill her.”
I think Daniel Mary deserves to be supported financially due to her doggedness and sincerity to survive against all odds,” one Yusuff Afolabi, affirmed.
Bala Moses wrote, “If we all can donate for as low as N1,000 or 500, it will make a whole world of difference for her. Let be that change we want to see.”
Babagana Alkali equally appealed to Nigerians to assist Daniel “no matter how little” to help change her life for the better. “She deserves to have a good business considering her conditions,” Alkali added.
One Ebi Isedirikonghen called on the Kogi State Government to locate Daniel and help her.
“I have done mine, please extend a hand of help to this woman, any amount is good enough. Please let’s help out,” Nwaneke Fidel appealed.
On Twitter, @GodwinOgunjobi, said her boss, one Chinedu Ijiomah, would assist Daniel to start a business instead of hawking.
A Twitter user, OracleGodfather, @Oracle_GF, said Daniel exhibited uncommon resilience, hard work and love.
“Despite her circumstances, she has the compassion to care for her grandmother,” OracleGodfather wrote.
Meanwhile, Daniel, who now squats at an apartment in Ijora, told our correspondent on Saturday that she had been receiving calls from different people pledging support for her.
She said she wanted to rent an apartment so that her daughter who resides with her aunt in the village could relocate to Lagos to live with her.
She stated, “I want my daughter to live with me. I want her to be under my watch so I can take good care of her. I don’t mind if my grandma can relocate to Lagos too. A lot of people have been calling me since morning (Saturday). They said they read my story in PUNCH. They promise to help me.”
