News

Govts, Organisations Urged To Include Persons With Albinism In Intervention Programmes

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Government at all levels, private organisations and individuals have been urged to include persons with albinism especially women and girls in their programmes – political office; Gender Based Violence (GVB) Intervention Programmes, etc.

Joy Odigie, Executive Director, Initiative for Advancement of the Albinism Cause (INAAC), who made the appeal during a day Sensitisation Workshop for Civil Society Organisations and media practitioners in Benin, said the inclusion will go a long way in alleviating the plights of persons with albinism who, according to her, experience GBV due to lack of awareness about their skin colour.

INFO DAILY reports that the sensitisation workshop was to create awareness about albinism and the need to include persons with albinism especially women and girls with albinism as well as mothers of children with albinism in Gender Based Violence Intervention Programmes.

According to Odigie, due to lack of awareness on how albinism comes about cum myth about albinism, persons with this special skin face a lot of challenges in the society including decriminalisation, sexual violence targeted at women with albinism, etc, insisting that persons with albinism are just like every other creature.

“Isolation and expulsion from the community is also commonplace due to the belief that the child with albinism is a curse on the community.

“Self-removal from the community by mothers of children with albinism also takes place in some cases to avoid hostility and exclusion from community members.

“Women with albinism are often targets of sexual violence. This is frequently due to fetishes, myths and misbeliefs that result in rape and sexual assaults.

“In some part of Nigeria, it is also due to the prevalent myths that sexual intercourse with women with albinism can cure HIV and can confer good luck. These myths continuously expose these women to violence and increase their vulnerability to unwanted pregnancies and to contracting various sexually transmitted infections,” the Executive Director lamented.

Odigie therefore tasked the media to promote interventions as well as communicate understanding of albinism with a view to correcting the misconceptions about persons with albinism and the challenges they face in the society.

She added: “This is important in reducing the violence. The key message should be that people with albinism are humans who have rights, so the whole community should treat them well.

“The media, owe the duty to demystify the misconceptions and myths that have been propagated and sustained in the mass media against persons with albinism. While we are quick to announce that “Black Lives Matter,” we mustn’t hesitate to also push that “The Lives of Persons with Albinism Matter.”

In her presentation, Agatha Osieke, Executive Director, The Women, Youths and Children Advancement Programme, said the discrimination against persons with albinism and non-inclusion of them in government programmes is violation of their fundamental human rights, insisting that they are no less human

The legal practitioner said: “Chapter four of the Nigeria Constitution on fundamental human rights never discriminated against anyone. Not even based on colour, heath status or biological makeup. Therefore, any form of discrimination against persons with albinism is unconstitutional, and anyone who discriminate against them has violated the provisions of all fundamental human rights documents including the Edo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2021.”

She added: “It should be noted that persons with albinism are not ghost but human.

“Women and girls with albinism and mothers of children with albinism are not different from any other women or girls in the society. (Sic)

“Persons with albinism are no less human. They have equal rights of association. They can also lead. They should be allowed to exhibit their God given talent.”

News

INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

7 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

12 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

23 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.