Memunat Abdul, mother of two who has been plagued by elephantiasis and reduced to destitution for almost five years, cries out for help. She spoke to Bukola Fasuyi.
The Boko Haram menace remains a unifier albeit in a negative way. Almost every Nigerian, irrespective of their ethnic nationality, religious affiliation, age or sex has one terrifying experience or story to relay for the rest of their lives; and Memunat Abdul despite her station in life as a destitute with Elephantiasis and a foot that has been reduced to a stump, is no exception.
“I lived in Kano with my husband and four kids until we had to flee from the Boko Haram people who killed without mercy and without discrimination. I was one of the victims of their first wave of attacks, as I lost my husband and two of my children.”
In a bid to salvage what was left of her family, Memunat arrived Lagos with her two surviving kids; but under her circumstances, she had no alternative but to take to the streets begging for alms. Aside knowing nobody in the city, she had her ailment to worry about, and her two children.
“When we arrived Lagos, we searched for some people I used to know, but astonishingly, none of them were forthcoming, so I hit the streets with my children, because we had nowhere to go and nothing to eat.” She said.
People threading their ways to and from work in Lagos daily often have to steel their heart for the few seconds it takes to walk past her, as she trudges along the various street of the metropolis. She is indeed a sight to behold for the bold, and a pitiable sight for the lily livered; often drawing tears and recriminations for a system that abandons her likes to their fate.
Over four years ago when her story first broke, she like most indigent Nigerians was optimistic that succour will soon come her way from the array of good natured Nigerians that showed interest in her matter, but since then she has remained on the street, begging for survival.
Memunat Abdul used to live a full life, happily married with her whole family intact, and optimistic of a brighter future, until she suddenly suffered some kind of swellings in her right leg.
“It was a bright morning some years ago that I first noticed this itchy swellings and as an ordinary person, I thought it was a mere infection that will soon depart after using some ointments. I also used local herbs and the itch abated temporarily, only to return stronger and deadlier.”
In no time moving around became a huge labour, so also her search for her daily bread. Even good-natured people often avoided her as a result of the gory sight that her leg had become.
“I couldn’t even get enough to meet my daily need, as most people avoided looking at me a second time because of the leg, but I must commend Lagosians for their magnanimity; they try to help in every little way they can, but honestly it’s not my intention to be a beggar.”
Her children have also not fared better in life, as they have joined her on the street begging for survival. Like her, they barely make enough for their three square meals.
Abdul, one of the children said, “I don’t like the life we live, I wish I could be in school like my mates, I sometimes wish I had a house over my head, but especially I wish my mother wasn’t sick like this. Maybe life would have been better for us.”
According to her medical doctor, Memunat Abdul suffers from a tropical disease commonly known as Elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is a disease of the lymphatic system, characterised by an enormous enlargement of the infected area. The hardened skin of this area resembles the hide of an elephant and that is why it goes by that name.
The disease is usually the result of blockage of the lymphatic system by threadlike filarial worms, usually Wuchereria bancrofti. The parts of the body most frequently affected are the limbs and the genitals. The disease is treated with the antifilarial drug diethylcarbamazine (Hetrazan) and with surgery.
Now Memunat Abdul needs about 2 Million Naira to carry-out a corrective surgery on the fast decaying right leg, consequently she is pleading with good natured Nigerians to come to her aid.
“I have been running from pillar to post for the money, but it’s been difficult because I don’t have people that can assist me. That is why I am calling on Nigerians to come to my aid and give me a new life.”
To help save Memunat Abdul from her misery, please send your contributions to First Bank Account name Abdu Memunat with Account number 3078028123.