UN, OAM Condemn Violation of Albinos in Nigeria
The United Nations Information for Nigeria and the Onome Akinlolu Majaro Foundation have jointly condemned the stigmatisation and discrimination of persons living with albinism in Nigeria, describing the action as inhuman.
They said while those violating the rights of albinos should be brought to book, there should be swift prosecution of perpetrators of attacks against persons with albinism.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Albinism Awareness Day in Lagos by OAM Foundation, the Director, United Nations Information for Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja said reports have shown that persons living with albinism were been hunted for rituals and amulets which have resulted in the killing of countless persons living with albinism.
Mr. Ronald expressed that in order for a person to be affected by albinism, both parents must carry the gene and in that case there is a 25percent chance that a child will be born with albinism at each pregnancy.
“It has been widely reported and documented that persons with albinism are hunted and physically attacked due to prevailing myths such as the misbelief that their body parts, when used in witchcraft rituals and potions or amulets, will induce wealth, good luck and political success. Other dangerous myths that facilitate the perpetration of attacks are those linked to perception of their appearance, including misbeliefs and myths that person with albinism are not human beings,” he said.
Mr. Ronald giving a break down analysis of proportion of persons affected by albinism in the world, he said, in North America and Europe, it is estimated that one in 17,000 to 20,000 people are affected by the condition, while in sub-Saharan Africa, one in 5,000 to 15,000 could be infected.
Speaking at the awareness day tagged: ‘ Beyond The Complexion’, Ronald said that one of the most serious health implications of albinisms was the vulnerability to skin cancer.
“Skin cancer remains a life threatening condition for most persons with albinism. Statistics on the issue are mostly from Africa and they indicate a worrying trend. Some reports indicate that most persons with albinism die from skin cancer between ages of 30 and 40 years” he said.
On her part, the Co-Founder, OAM foundation, Mrs. Onome Okagbare Majaro said albinism results because of lack of melanin in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun, adding that it doesn’t mean disability or death sentence.
Mrs. Majaro lamented that persons with albinism faces multiple discrimination which consequently has led to pathetic stories of albinism
“There is no doubt that people with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. The truth is, albinism is still greatly misconstrued, socially and medically even by elites. The physical appearance of persons with albinism is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition which fosters their marginalization and social exclusion” she said.