The community of Persons with Albinism on the Plateau State, under the Umbrella of The Albino Foundation (TAF) Plateau State branch, in collaboration with OXFAM Voice Nigeria mark the International Human Rights Day in style, with a sub theme: Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons with Albinism.
The celebration which started with a Road walk from the Plateau state Polytechnic Jos campus gate to Crest Hotel Jos, venue of the event have members of the Albinism Community, Other clusters of People with Disabilities, family members, friends, representatives from Human Rights Commission and well wishers.
According to Mr. Abel T. Mvandaga, the coordinator, The Albino Foundation Plateau State, the celebration of the International Human Rights Day is to draw the attention of the World to the rights of persons with Albinism, which have been violated for quite along time without justice.
Persons with Albinism are being brutalized and killed in many countries, like Burundi and Tanzania just to mention but two. We want to tell the world, that these things are wrong, and correction should be taken. The world should look at the person with Albinism with the same human eye she is looking at other human being.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Women Affairs. Hon. Rebecca Adar Sambo, who graced the occasion, said even though she did not received any form of invitation, she would have still been part of the occasion,
On hearing about the event, she decided to be part of it, because of the importance she attached to persons with disabilities, as a mother and as a friend.
She said that people with disabilities have and will continue to have a special place in her private and official life. And her support will be with them in all possible ways.
The Commissioner thanked Barr. Simon Lalong the governor of Plateau state, and the Chairman Northern governors forum for doing so much for people with disabilities on the Plateau.
She then call on members of the society, not to discriminate against people with disabilities.
Mr. Afam Kasim, Head of Media and Communication, The Albino Foundation Abuja, who was also part of the celebration in Jos. He said that the celebration on the Plateau is to blow the trumpet of people with Albinism and other people with disabilities also have rights and these rights should be observed by all, and in all aspects of human lives. Rights such as, right to life, right to employment, right to education, right of association, right to vote and be voted for, etc.
Other dignitaries at the celebration included Karl Gurumyen, the Secretary Plateau state Disability Rights Commission, Rights Commission, Lead by, Taddy Chollom, Dr. Sunday Zechariah, ( a person with Albinism) of Jos University Teaching Hospital
The event featured Traditional dance from Albino Community of Langtang North local government of Plateau state, Music presentation from friends of the people with Albinism on the Plateau.
The highpoint of the celebration was the Crowning of Pearl Akpata as the Miss. Albinism Beauty Queen by, The Face of Plateau 2020 Queen, Dinatu Dimfat Atukum.
Pearl Akpata beats other Albino beauty contestants to take the 2020 beauty crown.
