Nigeria’s ‘fattest cripple’ becomes father – …cries out for support

Biggy’s wife, Madinat, also welcomes her husband’s visitors. It is clear that while they may be battling with poverty, they are happy. “I am physically challenged and large-sized, but I can tell you that I have nothing to offer Allah than praise. People have to assist me before I even take a bath or climb […]

Biggy’s wife, Madinat, also welcomes her husband’s visitors. It is clear that while they may be battling with poverty, they are happy. “I am physically challenged and large-sized, but I can tell you that I have nothing to offer Allah than praise. People have to assist me before I even take a bath or climb my tricycle. However, Allah has blessed me with these two angels, Madinat and Abubakar. They give me pleasure and happiness,” Biggy said.

 

Madinat, Biggy’s wife, is also cheerful and full of hope for her family. Her interpretation of happiness in marriage is having a hubby with qualitative character. “He may be fat and physically challenged but to me those attributes are not significant in marriage. What is important in marriage is one’s character. Biggy is gentle and lively. He gives me love and care. Those attributes are what are needed in marriage and not one’s status,” Madinat told Weekly Trust.

Despite Biggy’s good cheer and other qualities, the family has some challenges on how to eke out a living. Biggy was a cobbler, but lack of capital crippled the business. “I now depend on friends and relatives to survive. As you can see I am living in a single room without convenience. This is why I am calling on well-meaning Nigerians to come to my aid. People like us deserve to be assisted, since we have something we do. I am a shoemaker. My shop is at No. 3 Ibadan Street, Sabon Gari, Zaria.”

Biggy is very popular in this area, so politicians often use his popularity. “But most of them dump me after elections,” he said.

With a gleam in his eye, Biggy said the most memorable achievement of his life is how he schemed out many contenders and lured Madinat, his wife, to his side. “We will continue to live together for life,” he said. “You know one needs not to take chances. This is why I would not allow you to take her photo. I am not ready to lose her to anyone. I know how difficult it was to get Madinat’s hand in marriage and you know women-snatchers are everywhere now.”

As Biggy went back to his family, he added that his fingers are crossed that some good Samaritans would add to the happiness of his family by assisting him to revive his business.