Mary Daniel, the amputee hawker whose story went viral on social media a few days ago has apologised to Nigerians for lying about the death of her father after she got help from the Lagos State Government as well as well-meaning Nigerians.
She said she lost one of her legs and her parents in a fatal motor accident that claimed the life of the passengers on board. Her story and struggle as an amputee hawker got her donations of about N25m.
Fresh reports suggest that her story of being an amputee as a result of the accident war staged instead she has been an amputee from birth.
However, the amputee hawker has refuted those reports and she has now confessed that her father is not dead.
Mary Daniel, who spoke with Sahara Reporters, also added that her maternal grandmother has been harassing her for money.
“My father abandoned me since I was involved in this accident, there was no one to take care of me, nothing! That was why I said he’s dead. But my mother is truly dead. I had an accident truly; I was not amputated from birth.
“It was my grandmother that called me that she does not have anything, that if I have, I should send it. I said let me give her small money so she can use it to manage herself for now. I wanted to send N100, 000, I sent N200, 000 instead. She called me and asked why I sent her such a meagre amount, that, do I think she doesn’t know what’s going on, that how will people be contributing money for me and all I do is to send N200, 000.
“She said I’d rather spend more money or she will expose me and I will go back to selling ‘pure’ (sachet) water. I was shocked and asked what sort of thing is this. She’s my maternal grandmother, she is really old.
“My aunties and uncles from my mother’s side are the ones pushing my grandmother into this and if she continues like this, later she will regret it. I have told her to calm down that I will take care of her but she refused. She is busy following her children around, making videos, that’s their business.
“Nigerians should forgive me. People that stay on the streets and in noisy places, hardly have a settled mind and I said my father is late so Nigerians can help me. I made a big mistake; Nigerians should please forgive me.
“I want to open a supermarket in Lagos. I have always been a pure water hawker. Lagos is not the first place, I started from Onitsha, from there, I sold pure water in Asaba from there I came to Lagos. I don’t beg, even in my condition, I hawk that water so I can survive. That’s the business I have always been doing.
“I appreciate the Lagos state government, Mr Idris, the hotel man that gave me accommodation, that celebrated my birthday. I also appreciate Princess Aderemi, for all the support and everyone that helped. I promise not to fail Nigerians.”
