By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
Yola
Adamawa state Commissioner for Education, Mr. Hamman Adama, has advocated for the enactment of a legislation that would sanction people who discriminate against those living with albinism.
Adama, who made the call during the Albinism Day at Bille Primary School in Demsa local government area, that stigmatisation of people living with albinism was a source for concern as it constituted a barrier to their success in life.
He said there was no reason for people living with albinism to be discriminated against in whatever ramification, adding that “there should be no discrimination of any sort, whether in feeling, thoughts or actions. Adults should show exemplary acceptance attitudes towards the albino.”
He also solicited for a waiver of school fees for parents of children living with albinism as a means of effectively cushioning the hardship the parents go through in bringing up the children.
“There should be a waiver for parents of those with albinism from paying school fees as an effective cushioning from the hardship experienced by them.”
Also speaking, the Adamawa state coordinator of Albino Foundation, Malam Umar Mohammed, said Bille was selected for the event “because of the high rate of Albinism resulting from child birth in the village.”
He urged albinos to register with the foundation and charged them not to expose their bodies to sunshine as a precursor to skin cancer prevention.
Mohammed also cautioned school teachers against subjecting children living with the ailment to physical punishment, “especially in the sun as it constitutes a serious predicament to them.”