International Albinism Awareness Day: TAF pleas for Institutional Collaborations to Address the Issues

The Albino Foundation in Abuja marked the International Albinism Awareness day on 12^th and 13^th of June, 2019 with a National Conference on Albinism with the theme: Still Standing Strong; the Albinism Cause. You could recall that in 14^th November, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly at its Sixty-ninth (69^th) session, Third Committee, Agenda item 68 (b) proclaimed 13^th June of every year International Albinism awareness day putting in considerations the deep concern on the widespread discrimination, stigmatization, dehumanization and brutal killings of persons with Albinism across the world and the need for more public awareness on the challenges of persons with Albinism globally especially Africa. The maiden edition took place on 13^th June, 2015.

Jake Epelle, the CEO/ Founder of The Albino Foundation in his remark, appreciated the support of ROLAC, SIB/CBM, Sight Savers, EU, DRF and other supporters who made this year’s celebration of international albinism awareness day a success. He said that issues of Albinism in Nigeria have not been given adequate attention because of the prevailing ignorance about the challenges faced by the persons with Albinism. Persons with Albinism can be classified among the most vulnerable group in Nigeria because their lack of melanin affects their eyes, hair and skin. For instance, it takes only 10minutes for persons with Albinism skin to get burnt by the sun which portrays high risk to skin cancer. The lack of awareness and ignorance has resulted in the tragic loss of lives of many Albinos for disease ordinarily would have been avoided. He expressed sadness over the inability of the society to tap the full potential of the majority of the persons with Albinism because of the myths and misconceptions associated with Albinism which over the years have been interpreted as truth; you still see parents who are restrained from sending their children with albinism to school because it is considered a waste of time. He went further to advocate for institutional collaborations, public-private sector partnership and non-government involvement as major approaches for addressing the issues of Albinism and other related issues.

The event started on the 12^th with a National Conference on Albinism to create awareness on the challenges of living with Albinism among persons with Albinism and their families. The conference educated the persons with Albinism and their families especially mothers of children with albinism in particular on what albinism is and is not as well as inform them on ways of managing the health and social challenges associated with it. It provided information on reducing blindness, latest innovations in eye care management for low vision persons, managing persons with albinism in schools, prevention of skin cancer, building self-esteem as means of reducing stigmatization and discrimination, building entrepreneurial skills as a tool of reducing poverty and effective leadership skills as a tool for promoting inclusive society. All these were taught by well experienced facilitators such as Prof. Douglas Anele (also a person with albinism), Prof. Vincent C. Anigbogu, Tony Epelle, Monday Philip, Prof. Godswill Obioma, and Barr. Gabriel Airewele.

The event on the 13^th started with a walk for Albinism (persons with albinism, their friends and families walked from the gate of NNPC towers Abuja to the venue of the event Chelsea Hotel). The event was declared open by the special guest of honour Vice President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osibanjo ably represented by the Chief personal Physician to The Vice President Dr. Nicholas Audifferen. In the remark of the partners (British Council,CBM etc) and some special guests such as  Chief justice of FCT, His Lordship, Justice U.I Bello and others, they reaffirmed that commitment to continue to work with The Albino Foundation and they also call on the organizations of people with disabilities and the entire people with disabilities to come together and work as one in order to get the newly signed disability rights act implemented. They also call on the public and private sector to build more in the area of empowering people with disabilities.

Interestingly, there was a presentation by Asokoro Secondary School; these students contributed their pocket money to donate Twenty Thousand naira to the foundation to acquire sunscreens for those who cannot afford it. They made a presentation of inspiring poems and songs at the event.

Dr. Irene Patrick-Ogbogu anchored very interactive session with the duty bearers/service providers drawn from agencies of the government such as Nigerian Police force, National Human Rights Commission, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and Ministry of Health. At the end of the session, the service provided promised to improve their services to persons with disabilities.

The event also featured Arts and fashion show which showcase video documentary, photographs and arts works designed by Persons with albinism. This activities no doubt will improve the self-esteem and confidence of all those that participated which will subsequently improve their productivity level to become better persons in the society.

This year’s International Albinism Awareness Day celebration with these elaborate activities has once again brought to the mind of many all these challenges faced by persons with albinism and there is hope that the issues raised, there will be efforts to address them.      

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM THE EVENT