Persons with albinism solicits Abia Govt.’s support

On Jul 1, 2024

Persons with albinism under the umbrella of Albinism Association of Nigeria, Abia chapter, have solicited the support of Abia Government in tackling some of their challenges.

They made the request during a courtesy visit to the Special Assistant to Abia Governor on Persons with Disabilities, Mr David Anyaele, on Sunday. Anyaele is also the Founder of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).

Following the visit, in a communique made available to newsmen, the Chairman of the association, Mr Enyinaya Nwosu, said the challenges bordered on ‘Education’, ‘Health’ and ‘Vocational training.’

Nwosu lamented that the schools in Abia are non albinism friendly.

He recommended adopting a ‘play-way’ method to make persons with albinism friendly with their teachers and enhance learning for them.

“The government should provide glasses for those in schools. They need opportunities and free education,” he said.

Also, the Secretary of the group, Ijeoma Okonkwo, said that many persons with albinism shy away from going to school due to their condition.

She said a person with albinism should be allowed to sit in the front line in the classroom, instead of at the back, “because they can’t see the board clearly from a distance.”

Okonkwo urged the government to provide visual aids to assist persons with albinism for subjects such as Mathematics and sciences.

Nnukwu Daniel, the PRO of the group, noted with dismay that he had never seen a person with albinism partake in debates and quizzes.

He called for teachers to be sensitised against discriminating against persons with albinism, and for albinos to be exempted from manual labour at schools due to the effect of the sun on their skin.

Also, Chukwumechefulam Ebogu, the Zonal Coordinator of the group, made a passionate appeal to the Anyaele to use his good office and CCD to help sensitise schools on the needs of persons with albinism.

Addressing the problem on health care, the Women Leader of the group, Mrs Blessing Mbagwu said regular skin check-up should be provided for persons with albinism albinos for free.

Mbagwu also recommended sensitisation of parents on the hazards faced by persons with albinism.

“Some parents back their albino babies, while hawking, thereby exposing them to the harmful effect of the sun rays,” she said.

Responding, Anyaele, while assuring them of government’s support, said that Gov. Alex Otti was concerned about the condition of persons with albinism.

He said that the governor was concerned about how to integrate, include and ensure that government programmes and activities were specifically targeted to them.

He regretted the stigmatisation and discrimination against persons with albinism all over the world.

According to him, many Africans see albinism as a curse or a sign of bad luck leading to social exclusion.

NAN/Wumi