Albinos, under the umbrella of the Albinism Association of Nigeria, Abia chapter, have solicited the support of the Abia government in tackling their challenges. They made the request on Sunday during a courtesy visit to David Anyaele, the special assistant to the Abia governor on persons with disabilities. Mr Anyaele is also the founder of the Citizens with Disabilities (CCD).
Following the visit, the association chairman, Enyinaya Nwosu, issued a communique. “The government should provide glasses for those in schools. They need opportunities and free education,” Mr Anyaele said.
Also, the secretary of the group, Ijeoma Okonkwo, said 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 of the classroom instead of at the back “because they can’t see the board clearly from a distance.” Ms Okonkwo urged the government to provide visual aids for subjects such as mathematics and sciences to assist persons with albinism.
“It is important to note that it takes a person with albinism six seconds to see what is written. They need extra time. The education board should prioritise that in JAMB, WAEC, and normal classroom work.
“Instead of short sleeves, public and private school authorities should make long sleeve uniforms for persons with albinism as well as provide them with face caps to protect them from the effect of sun rays. Government support is needed, especially in terms of sight,” Ms Okonkwo explained.
Nnukwu Daniel, the group’s spokesman, noted with dismay that he had never seen a person with albinism participate in debates and quizzes. He called for teachers to be sensitised against discriminating against people with albinism and for albinos to be exempted from manual labour at schools due to the sun’s effect on their skin.
Also, Chukwumechefulam Ebogu, the group’s zonal coordinator, passionately appealed to Mr Anyaele to use his good office and CCD to help sensitise schools to the needs of people with albinism.
Addressing the health care problem, the women’s leader of the group, Blessing Mbagwu, said regular skin check-ups should be provided for people with albinism albinos for free. Ms 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. Mr Anyaele assured them of the government’s support and said that Governor Alex Otti was concerned about the condition of persons with albinism. He said that the governor was concerned about integrating, including and ensuring 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.
