The Lagos state chairman of the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), Tolani Ojuri, has urged the media to help create awareness on albinism rights in Nigeria.

The albinism association gave the advice in a communique it issued on Saturday after its session with media organisations in Lagos.

The communique, signed by Mr Ojuri, espoused avenues of media aid to halt public derogatory practices against members of the body.

“We believe that by working together with the media, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society for all individuals with albinism.

“We are here not only to engage in discussions but also to strategise and collaborate on how to enhance media coverage around albinism-related issues.

“This is an opportunity to build a united front to tackle misinformation, discrimination, and stigmatisation faced by persons with albinism in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Ojuri said the aim of the interactive session was to amplify the provisions of the national albinism policy.

According to him,  the association will provide a comprehensive understanding of the provisions of the national albinism policy and its significance for the protection and inclusion of persons with albinism.

He said he believed that the media would help to play a crucial role in raising awareness about albinism and promoting its members’ rights

Mr Ojuri said the session would be a significant step forward in its efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive society for all.

The executive director of the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), Bisi Bamishe, gave a keynote address.

She said that the  National Albinism Policy represented a milestone in the association’s efforts to ensure that persons with albinism in Nigeria were recognised, respected, and supported by the society and the three tiers of government (federal, state and local).

She said the programme was organised to actualise the vision, mission, core objectives, policy targets, outcomes, and review and implementation strategies that would help advance measures to facilitate the review and implementation of the national policy on albinism in Nigeria.

Ms Bamishe said that the association was aware of the barriers and obstacles that persons with albinism encounter in their pursuit of education.

According to her, from discrimination and stigma to inadequate facilities and lack of awareness, the road to inclusive education is faced with challenges in Nigeria.

“Albinism is a genetic condition that results in a lack or absence of melanin pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes.

“Albinism is not a disease or curse. For a child to be born with albinism,  it means both parents have the gene in them.

“In Nigeria, albinism is seen as a curse by some people and many PWAs face discrimination, stigmatisation, and even violence,” she said.

According to her, a child with albinism in Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including discrimination and social exclusion.

She added that Nigerian society was largely ignorant about the condition and the challenges that come with it.

“Persons with Albinism in Nigeria are also at an increased risk of skin cancer due to the lack of melanin pigment in their skin. Exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays does lead to skin damage and, ultimately, skin cancer.

“Unfortunately, many PWAs in Nigeria cannot afford to buy sunscreen and other protective clothing due to poverty. Every month, we lose at least two persons with albinism to skin cancer,” she said.

Ms Bamishe said that the national albinism policy was to address the multi-faceted challenges faced by PWAs in terms of skin problems, vision, low self-esteem, myths, discrimination and stigmatisation.

“Unfortunately, since the final NPA was accented in 2019 to last for a period of five years, after which a review would be done to keep pace with the current humanitarian and environmental activities. The policy had not seen the light of the day.

“Since it has not been implemented as intended up till now, persons with albinism are suffering, and it seems there is no hope even though a national policy supporting our course of living was initiated.

“Hence, the need to ensure review and implementation is necessary because of the prevailing negative circumstances faced by PWAs,” she said.

“The National Policy on Albinism is a comprehensive framework designed to address the unique challenges faced by persons with albinism in Nigeria.

“The policy aims to promote social inclusion, economic empowerment, and access to education and healthcare for individuals with albinism.

“It was drafted in 2019 with plans to be implemented within five years. So, it was expected that its implementation would be completed by December 2024.

“Unfortunately, it has not seen the light of the day,” she said.

Ms Bamishe said that as the media served as both the mirror and the magnifying glass of society, its involvement in raising awareness was essential to combating myths and stigmas against PWA.

She said that media full involvement would encourage full implementation of the national albinism policy and promote positive representation through media stories that highlight their successes, talents, and contributions, which can significantly shift the public.

The event was made possible through the generous support of the Disability Rights Fund (DRF) on Inclusive Education in Nigeria.

It reports that AAN is dedicated to promoting the rights, welfare, and empowerment of individuals with albinism in Nigeria.

(NAN)