The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) says the enforcement of the 5% employment opportunity proposed in the 2018 Disability Act mandating all Ministries, extra- ministerial Departments, and Agencies would protect persons with albinism from the harsh weather of unemployment and any form of ill-treatment at their workplaces.
Executive Secretary, of the commission, James David Lalu, said this at one-day roundtable on “The Challenges Of Safety And Rights Of Persons With Albinism” organized by INCLUSION Magazine and Albino Foundation.
“Considering the recent challenges posed by global warming, the average person with albinism is prone to more environmental harshness. The temperature is usually hot and this calls for more caution in order to prevent skin infection which could lead to cancer of the skin,” he said.
“So, as someone with albinism, the skin is the endangered layer of body component and should be prevented from constant or direct contact with sunlight.”
Lalu said the present harsh economic realities occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic has exposed persons with albinism were increasing danger.
“Unfortunately, there is a belief system in our society that endangers the existence of Persons with albinism. This is very common among African nations where Persons with albinism are perceived to possess special spiritual influence or powers and this automatically makes them deities or objects for acquiring supernatural powers. People exhibit some level of desperation and kidnap Persons with Albinism wherever they are sighted for diabolical means,” he said.
He said his commission would continue to protect the lives and rights of people with disabilities in the country, as provided for in the 2018 (Prohibition) Act.
Lalu commended CEO/ Founder of the Albino Foundation (TAF), Jake Epelle, and Publisher/ CEO INCLUSION Magazine Husseni Abdullrahman for their vision and resilience in the struggle to bringing the community of Persons with Albinism in Nigeria to limelight.