... Inaugurates new officers and Reiterate call for better life
At the tail, end of the year, the Albinism community celebrated the international day for persons with disabilities. We were there to capture the address of the new President, Mrs Bisi Lucy Bamishe, President.
Below is the full address:
Distinguished members of albinism community, parents of children with Albinism and gentlemen of the press
It is my honour to address you at today’s gathering to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
A big congratulations to the community of persons with Albinism in Nigeria for active engagement, resilience and positive contributions to the country’s socio-economic development.
Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) is the umbrella body of persons with albinism (PWAs). With the vision to attain a fair, secure and socially inclusive society that empowers members and provides unfettered access to opportunities for self fulfillment and dignity of human life, our mission is to unite and protect the rights and interest of Persons with Albinism against discrimination and marginalisation in the society.
Our choice of today’s gathering is to create awareness, as we aim to let the voice of persons with Albinism be heard about our aspirations, needs and make recommendations to the government.
The theme of this year’s International Day is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“.
Today, I would like to highlight two examples of how innovation and technology can be leveraged for this purpose.
First, Innovation can support disability inclusive development in employment, transportation, education, health, entertainment among others. New technology can open job opportunities for PWAs.
It is worth noting that innovation for disability inclusive development can help reduce inequality and enable a disability-inclusive society in both the public and private sector.
On this special occasion, we honour together the significant contributions of persons with albinism in our state, local and national development.
We want to reiterate our call for better life for persons with albinism. We cry out against stigmatisation, marginalisation and discrimination. We are being aligned and denied rights to live normal life. Children at school are treated with no consideration for their disability while adults are denied access to jobs, public facilities among others.
Our members need to have adequate medical care. Many are dying of skin cancer due to lack of preventive measures and prompt treatment for those suffering from skin cancer. We therefore, solicit for donation of sunblock lotion, hats and UV protection umbrellas. Local production of sunlotion will be a greater advantage.
Once again, we call for creation of an inclusive environment by the Nigerian government for persons with albinism. We call on both government and enterprises to tap into the talent pool of persons with albinism.
In the past years, persons with albinism have made active effort to call the attention of government to the need for implementation of disability law. This will surely ameliorate our hardship and suffering.
We want to appreciate our development partners in promoting opportunities for PWAs to participate in all spheres of life. Specifically, we say a big thank you to Sightsavers. However, we appeal for more support from development partners and the internationalisation community, help strengthen our abilities and make the rights of persons with disabilities a reality.
We desire a future where PWAs are in the driving seat of sustainable development.
Let me use this opportunity to introduce the executives of the Association:
1. Mrs Bisi Lucy Bamishe, President.
2. Hajia Mariam Ishaka, vice President.
3. Adeyi Onah Daniel, General Secretary.
4. Olushegun Abinbola, Assistant General Secretary,
5. Elizabeth Omotola, Treasurer.
6. Abel Mvandega, Financial Secretary.
7. Nonye Ugbaugwu, Welfare Officer.
8. Ismaila S. PRO.
Wishing us all a happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities!
Thank you all.
Mrs Bisi Bamishe
31 December, 2022
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