Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA) has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to consider establishing policies that will address the challenges of Persons with Albinism (PWA) in the State.
The call was made during the 2023 World Albinism Awareness Day celebration at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, the State capital on Tuesday.
The International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 2014, to promote awareness in the society on issues of Persons with Albinism.
The day is observed to educate the society on the inclusiveness of PWAs in societal development as well as curb their rate of marginalisation in the society.
This year’s event was themed: “Ensuring The Inclusion of the Voices of Persons with Albinism in All Sectors of Life.”
Speaking at the event, the ASAA Chairperson, Comrade Vivian Ezeonwumelu lamented that despite global campaigns, the Albinism community in Anambra has faced enormous challenges that have threatened their existence.
According to her, the challenges range from skin cancer to vision problems, discrimination, and stigmatisation, among many others.
Vivian who also spoke on “Albinism: Overcoming Challenges and Way Forward,” said education, sun protection, vision care, and employment opportunities are ways the government and communities can help alleviate the plights of people with albinism in the state.
Similarly, the Chairman, of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) Anambra State chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, called on the State government to encourage the education of people with albinism by putting in place facilities that will enable them benefit fully from education in the state.
Buttressing his point, Okeke said: “There are a lot of things the Ministry of Education will do to help our members. In some schools, some teachers don’t know that children with albinism are supposed to be kept in front rows in classrooms for the sake of their sight.
“Government should make it a policy to ensure that all the children with albinism should be allowed to wear long sleeves for them to be able to cover their body than exposing their skin to the deadly skin cancer.
“Teachers should also learn how to plant trees in the school surroundings so that children with albinism can play like their fellow kids without being hurt by the usual harsh weather.”
While Okeke commended the governor’s employment of 5,000 teachers to boost manpower in the state, he called for an increased budget allocation to the education sector to enable the education ministry to scale up efforts in providing the needs of pupils with albinism in Anambra schools.
Meanwhile, the Director of UNIZIK Centre for Disabilities And Special Needs Research, Prof William Obiozor, represented by the Deputy Director, Dr. Silvia Obi, urged the PWA to add value to their lives by making themselves available for quality education and vocational skills to be able to contribute their quota to the development of the society.
In the same vein, a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Victor Ezeonwumelu, urged the Albinism community to be assertive in their thinking and to develop strategies that will help them avoid self-pity, anxiety, and paranoia in the face of discrimination.
Chairman Disabilities Rights Commission (DRC), Chuks Ezewuzie represented by Dr Chike Ezejiego, thanked the members of ASAA for bringing the issues of persons with Albinism on the front burner. He reminded that ensuring the inclusion of PWAs in all sectors of life is not just a moral obligation, but also a legal and human rights imperative.
Responding, the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh represented by Ikem Udoji, reassured that the state government will look into the complaints to find ways to help the Albinism community in the state.
