A heart-warming story of online compassion unfolded yet again in Nigeria, where a viral video of an elderly and apparently unwell man hand-molding cement blocks led to N17.9 million being raised for him within 48 hours.
Alonge Edu’s video made it online late last week, showing him hunched over as he laboured to create blocks.
Many social media online offered support to help him retire if he could be located.
One X user, a university teacher, promised a monthly salary of N50,000; another offered N350,000, and another offered a scholarship to Edu’s grandson.
The man was tracked within hours to Epe in Lagos state, according to X user, JustKings, who helped organize the search.
By Monday morning, the organizers said donations had reached N17.9 million. A bank statement they displayed showed the balance.
“In less than 48hrs 17.9M was raised for Baba. I’m still in shock. Thank you Nigerians,” wrote Princess Ade, with the username @Saminatu1, who helped organize the donations.
“Nigerians donated 17.9M into Baba’s account as at today. WE DID IT!!” JustKings affirmed.
This life 💔
God help everyone working legit so hard out there 🙌 pic.twitter.com/sbKwfma08j
— Oku (@oku_yungx) January 26, 2024
The man and his wife were later examined at a medical facility. In a video posted by JustKings, Mr Edu said he sustain injuries in an accident three years ago. His wife said she suffered rheumatism for five years and could not access medical care because they were poor.
The organizers of the donations said they planned a comprehensive medical check-up for the couple and a healthcare plan. They will also help set up a retail cement business, as the man requested, and make arrangements for a better accommodation for the family.
The dramatic but life-transforming donation came weeks after a similar initiative saw Nigerians online crowdfund over N20 million for a woman who said she woke up early to make meals for her maths teacher husband.
The X user, MumZee, received a new accommodation, several freebies from private and government organizations including oil company NNPC. She also got endorsement deals.
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