Metro

Albinism Day: NGO Seeks Support To Sustain Subsidised Surgeries

Published

1 year ago

June 13, 2024

A Non Governmental Organisation, Initiative for Advancement of the Albinism Cause (INAAC) is soliciting for support to sustain its skin cancer surgery programme for persons with albinism.

Miss Joy Odigie, Founder, INAAC, made the plea on the occasion of the 2024 International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) celebrated on June 13th, in Benin on Thursday.

Odigie said that persons with albinism were prone to skin cancers due to the lack or minimal amount of melanin in their skin.

“Melanin pigmentation gives the skin its dark colouration as well as provides natural protection for the skin against the harmful effects of the sun rays.

“When persons with albinism have prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays of the sun, they can develop skin tumors, freckles, and skin cancers.”

She said that the increasing burden of skin cancers among persons with albinism in Nigeria prompted the NGO to start a subsidized skin cancer surgery programme.

“Climate change has led to rising temperatures and heat waves, negatively affecting the skin of people with albinism in Nigeria.

“We are now recording increasing cases of skin tumors and cancers, especially among rural dwellers and poor persons with albinism who lack access to sunscreen lotions, skin checks, and services,” Odigie said.

She said since the programme’s inception two years ago, about four individuals had benefited, with four more waiting in line.

“We partner with a a hospital in Benin to run the subsidized skin tumors and cancers surgeries.

“The hospital offers a 20 – to 30 per cent discount to patients, while the NGO covers an additional 30 to 40 per cent of the remaining medical bills.”

She, however, said that the NGO was struggling to sustain the programme due to insufficient funding and high cost of medical treatment.

“For instance, a type of surgery that used to cost about N120,000 now goes for about N250,000 due to high cost of medical services and consumables.

“Also, some of the patients find it difficult to pay the subsided amount while those who live aside Benin City find it difficult to pay transportation fees to access treatment at the hospital.

“We are calling on well meaning Nigerians, government and Non Governmental Organisations to support these subsided surgeries and if possible make it a free surgery programme,” she said

She added that the 2024 theme for the IAAD, “10 Years of Collective Progress,” highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the well-being of individuals with albinism.

Metro

My Husband Started Coming Home Late, Dated Other Women After He Bought BMW

Published

20 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

Kabushi Local Government, Zambia, has heard how a married man changed after buying a BMW vehicle as it gave him confidence to go after other women.

In this case, Veronica Chiluya 30, , sued Sammy Shapi, 40, for divorce due to marital disputes.

Veronica told the court that the two got married in 2014 after Sammy paid K400 as dowry and together they have two children.

According to Zambia Daily Mail, she said all was well until 2021 when her husband bought a car after he went to do some work outside the country.

“He started coming back home late and sometimes he would come the next day around 14:00 hours.

“He used to be a good husband, but the moment he bought a car, things changed in the house as he now started seeing other women.”

Metro

My Husband Seized My Wedding Gifts, Threw Me Out — Wife

Published

20 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

…I’m sorry —Husband

A Sharia Court in Kaduna, Kaduna State, has dissolved a two-year-old marriage between a couple, Harira Sanusi and Aliyu Yunusa.

The judge, Malam Salisu Abubakar-Tureta dissolved their marriage following a petition for divorce filed by Harira.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Harira accused Aliyu of calling her parents names and humiliating her.

“He will often throw out my suitcases and other belongings.

“He seized my wedding gifts and humiliates me,” she said.

She prayed the court to order Aliyu to allow her access to her belongings.

On his part, Aliyu who did not deny the allegations apologized to her in court.

Aliyu granted the request of Sanusi and made one pronouncement of divorce to her.

Metro

My Husband Threw Me Out After 17yrs of Marriage —Wife

Published

20 hours ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

…I still love her —Husband

A housewife, Lawal Modupe, has approached an Upper Area Court sitting at Kubwa, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seeking the dissolution of her 17-year-old marriage to her husband, Ismaila on the grounds of lack of love and affection.

Modupe told the court that she got married Ismaila according to Islamic laws.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the mother of three stated that her husband sent her out of their matrimonial home on June 17, 2023.

“I do not love him anymore and I want the court to dissolve our marriage,” she said.

The respondent, however, said that he still loves his wife and would not grant her request for divorce.

He pleaded with the court to call for a mediation involving his family and that of the wife.

The judge, Mohammed Wakli, however, said that he still loves his wife and would not grant her request for divorce.

He pleaded with the court to call or a mediation involving his family and that of his wife.

The judge, Mohammed Wakili, however, advised the respondent to make efforts to win his wife’s love back and the couple two weeks to settle their differences and report back to the court.