THE AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE OFFICE OF SSA TO GOV (DIASPORA MATTERS), JOINS THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE WORLD TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY
By Mfon Jacott
Albinism is a disorder that affects one in 20,000 people worldwide and is caused by the body’s inability to produce melanin, which results in patches of pale skin. Albinos are more likely to contract skin cancer and have poor eyesight. For albinism to occur, both parents must have the gene, although they may not be albinos themselves.
This is a social health emergency and needs an urgent plan of action from stakeholders with government intervention and collaboration with NGOs, donor agencies, civil society groups, and the media community. For a decade, the United Nations has worked to ensure that all people with albinism live a free and dignified life, protected against skin cancer and all kinds of discrimination.
In Akwa Ibom State, the Gov Umo Eno-led administration is not leaving anyone behind with an inclusive governance approach for people living with disabilities. The appointment of Mrs Nnene Bassey as Special Assistant on People Living with Disabilities and also the head cluster of Albinism in Akwa Ibom State is a step in the right direction for the right policies and intervention programs.
In commemorating INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY on June 13, 2024, with the theme – A Decade of collective progress, a collaboration has been forged between the Office of the SSA on Diaspora Matters and the Office on People Living with Disabilities. This further consolidates the compassionate leadership of the disability-friendly governor who has pledged to run an inclusive government by ensuring no one is left behind.
This collaboration by the two government departments goes ahead to build bridges, bringing together organizations and professionals from different fields to ensure comprehensive and scalable solutions that will lead to systemic change.
Furthermore, this collaboration will engage local community stakeholders to design innovative and sustainable solutions to change the lives of people with albinism, especially those at a higher risk of exclusion.
This collaboration is an invitation to stakeholders across the globe to join in the renewed commitment by the government of Pastor Umo Eno in providing protection for the albinism demographic and consolidating on the reforms, legal frameworks, policy and practical changes still required to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of rights by persons with albinism.
#IAAD
#goldenera
#umoenocares
#akwaibomdisapora
