} -->
Welcome To Mannastores Blog, You can advertise on this blog by contacting through - mannamart@gmail.com or 08033858078, All comments on this blog are Purely the views Of Readers and Not that Of the admin! Information - Inspiration - Transformation (2IT)

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Nigeria rated high with global albinism- Foundation

The Albino Foundation (TAF), an NGO, says Nigeria has been rated one of the countries with the highest albinism prevalence in the world.
Mr Jake Epelle, President of the foundation, said this in an interview with newsmen  on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ekpelle quoted various research reports and publications to buttress his claim.
According to him, people living with Albinism are estimated to be 2 million in Nigeria with children constituting about 40 percent of the figure.
He said children with albinism were also among the most vulnerable in Nigeria, noting that most albinos are susceptible to skin cancer due to the exposure of their delicate skin type to the sun.
The president of the foundation said the absence of social welfare services in Nigeria had made livelihood difficult for children with special needs such as people with albinism.
``There is no official frame work to provide social welfare services, education and health support for the children.
``Many of them are not in school, not because of their mental disability but because of visual impairment, discrimination and social exclusion due to their skin colour.
``Parents however are solely responsible for their children’s care and support,’’ Ekpelle said.
He said due to lack of social welfare policy in the country, school teachers have been left to decide on the nature and quality of care to provide for children with albinism. Epelle said the foundation had launched TAF Back to School Education Grant Project focused on supporting indigent children living with albinism in primary and secondary schools across the country.

``In the month of March, we partnered with Total E and P Nigeria staff multipurpose cooperative to enrol 100 indigent Albino children in primary and secondary schools across the country.

``This project is aimed at ensuring school dropout return to school, children who had never been in school are enrolled, and supporting those already in school,’’ he said.
Epelle said the success of the education initiative was making history in its support for albinos in achieving their educational pursuit.

He called on the Federal Government to adopt a social welfare policy that would cater for the needs of indigent children living with albinism in the country.


``We want to see government intervention programmes, through specific policy direction and action plan aimed at alleviating the sufferings, neglect, stigmatisation and discrimination faced by persons with albinism,’’ Epelle said.

No comments:

Post a Comment

100 BUSINESS WISDOM FROM THE GREATS – 47 of 100

100 BUSINESS WISDOM FROM THE GREATS THAT MAY CHANGE YOUR BUSINESS FOR GOOD – 47 of 100  The secret of success lies not in you doing y...