Khadijat Saidu, Birnin kebbi
As the World marks the 2021 International Albinism Awareness Day, the Wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, has called on Nigerians to show love, care and support to Albinism and shun discrimination against them.
Dr. Zainab made the call at the disbursement of COVID-19 Relief Support to persons living with Albinism in Kebbi State, at the Medicaid Cancer Foundation Office, Birnin Kebbi.
Dr Bagudu, who is a strong Advocate of social inclusion of vulnerable Groups and chief campaigner against all forms of discrimination against vulnerable groups said the society needs to change its discriminatory stance against the Albinos.
She further urged Nigerians to be aware that albinos, due to their lack of melanin, the skin pigment are vulnerable to skin cancers and eye defects. As such they need financial support to purchase sunscreen and full body covering clothes right from childhood.
The Governor’s Wife further urged people to see Albinos as important segment of the society capable of contributing their lots to the development of the society.
Dr. Zainab was represented at the event.by the Special Adviser to the governor on Empowerment, Hajiya Maimuna Suleman Jega.
Adding that the COVID-19 – relief support was part of efforts of Kebbi state government to identify with people of special needs, so as to motivate them.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Assistant Coordinator, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Muktar Alkali, said the United Nations accepted the resolution to commemorate the International Albinism Awareness Day on the 13th of every June since 2013, in order to raise awareness on Albinism.
This, he said is with a view to bringing to an end the discrimination being faced by albinos throughout the world.
The Zonal Coordinator of Albinos Foundation in Kebbi State, Malam Abba Galadima, while describing the wife of the Govenor as ” Mother of the Albinos” in the state, he equally thanked her for the gesture of the covid-19 relief assistance to his members adding that it will go along way to relief there suffering.
He also advised members to take good care of themselves and steer clear from too much sunlight.
Highlights of the program include a Health Talk delivered by Dr. Jamil Muhammad and the disbursement of ten-thousand-naira COVID-19 relief support to each member of the Albinos’ in the state.
