19th May, 2014
The Secretary of Albino Foundation in Adamawa, Mr Bamsida Eli, has urged the state government to extend its youth empowerment programmes to people living with albinism.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Yola.
Eli said, so far, no member of the foundation in the state had benefitted from the series of poverty alleviation programmes of the state government.
This he said was in spite of the fact that most of its members were youths.
Eli said the foundation had communicated its request to Alhaji Sani Jada, Project Manager, Local Apprenticeship Scheme (LAS) of the government, for consideration.
“We are also trying to see the Sarkin Matasa (Youth Leader) of Adamawa Emirate Council, Malam Abdul’Aziz Nyako, to solicit for his intervention.
“This is with a view to assisting the foundation defend members’ interest in the state,” Eli said.
Eli lamented the growing number of albinos dropping out of school in the state, and urged the state government to implement the blue print on albinism education to stem the tide.
He explained that albinos had problem of impaired vision and therefore could not compete favourably when made to sit at the back of the class.
“There is no way albino will sit at the back of the class and you expect him or her to compete favourably with other students.
“His or her eyes cannot see clearly from afar, hence the need for teachers to be enlightened,” he lamented.
He also complained on discrimination and socio-cultural beliefs in the society that “albinism is a curse.” “When we drink water, some people use to wash the cup thoroughly before using it and there is this use of funny terms like ‘Baturen Zogale’ by some people while referring to us.”
The secretary, however, lauded the Administrator of Bidoma Development Area, Mr Denis Kakaba for supporting the foundation particularly in hosting this year’s World Albinism Day.