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Religious Leaders Task Govt, Traditional Rulers On Protection Of Persons With Abinism

Published

2 years ago

October 30, 2023

Religious leaders have tasked the Edo State Government and traditional rulers on protection of persons with albinism especially women and children, against discrimination and stigmatization to enable them achieve their potentials.

They made the call in Benin over the weekend during a sensitization workshop for religion and traditional leaders on tackling myths and superstitions beliefs associated with persons with albinism.

The workshop was organised by the Initiative for Advancement of the Albinism Cause (INAAC) and funded by Nigeria Women Trust Fund.

Speaking during the programme, the Chief Iman of Benin, Abdulfatai Enabulele, attributed the discrimination against persons with albinism to tradition and custom of the people.

He said Islam doesn’t discriminate against people including persons with albinism, seeking more engagements with traditional rulers, who are the custodian of custom and traditions of the people.

On his part. Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Eromosele said the state government was not doing enough in protecting the persons with albinism in the society

According to him, albinism is not a form of deformity that warrant stigmatisation and discrimination, as persons with albinism are expression of the distributive power of nature and should not be discriminated against.

Earlier, INAAC Executive Director, Joy Obehi Odigie, lamented that the stigmatisation and discrimination against persons with albinism was affecting them in achieving their potentials.

She the workshop was to meant to sensitize religious and traditional leaders on the eradication of harmful myths and superstitions associated with albinism with a view to preventing gender based violence against women, girls and children with albinism.

“We must work together towards creating a society that not only accepting people with albinism but also actively celebrates their uniqueness and diversity and also stand against discrimination and harmful practices against them,” she said.

While lamenting the absence of traditional rulers at the event, she said religious and traditional leaders, must all work towards creating a more compassionate, inclusive and just society every one valued.

However, Dr.Georgina Eromosele of the Edo State Gender Based Violence, said Edo State government was against all forms of discrimination and violence against any persons including persons with albinism.

She called on the public to help in reducing the myth and belief about people with albinism, saying rather than the discrimination and stigmatization, they should help them to achieve their potentials.

We are all created by God and but we are different in various aspect and expression of human being should not be reduced because they are living with albinism.

In African some culture are religion themselves, some of the statements of discrimination against albinism comes as a result of such cultures which are the People’s religion.

I believe that religion should play a greater role in breaking down the the stronghold reinforce by culture that believe that are less inferior or fit more in the society than the other.

He called on religion leader to do their work and speak the truth to the people.

News

Jonathan To Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention — Sowore

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, said former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to engage President Bola Tinubu on the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore disclosed this on Friday via his X handle after meeting with Jonathan in Abuja.

According to him, their discussion centred on the “urgent and compelling need” to address Kanu’s case “decisively and justly.”

Sowore said, “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan (Goodluck Jonathan) to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu

“President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognising the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.

“Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet @officialabat (President Bola Tinubu) to discuss this issue as soon as possible.”

He noted that with this development, Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerians who have called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.

“A list that already includes ex-Vice President @atiku, Femi Falana SAN, Senator @ShehuSani, and many others across political and regional divides,” Sowore said.

The activist reiterated his call for Kanu’s release, saying the IPOB leader “remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalisation in Nigeria.”

He also urged political, cultural, and religious leaders, including Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s John Mbata, to join the campaign for Kanu’s release.

Kanu has been in detention since 2021 after being re-arrested abroad and returned to Nigeria to face trial on charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony.

Several court orders granting him bail or ordering his release have yet to be implemented.

News

Yiaga Africa, Kukah Centre, Others Demand Live Broadcast Of INEC Chair Screening

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have appealed to the Senate to ensure that the screening of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is broadcast live to the public.

According to the groups, a live broadcast of the screening would promote transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the process of appointing the head of the nation’s electoral body.

In a statement made available to The Guardian on Friday, they emphasised that, given the crucial role INEC plays in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, citizens have a right to witness and assess the integrity, competence, and independence of the nominee being considered for such a sensitive position.

The CSOs include Yiaga Africa, Women Rights Advancement Protection Alternative (WRAPA), International Press Centre, The Kukah Centre, Centre for Media and Society, TAF Africa, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Nigeria Women Trust Fund, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and YERP Naija Campaign.

According to the organisations, live coverage would help dispel any suspicion of bias or backroom dealings, while allowing Nigerians to engage more meaningfully in discussions about electoral reforms and leadership within the electoral body.

“We call on the Senate to ensure that its confirmation hearings are transparent, televised, and inclusive of citizen and civil society input through memoranda, petitions, and participation in the confirmation hearings.

“The Senate should undertake a rigorous examination of his competence, public records, vision for electoral reform, INEC’s institutional strengthening, as well as his capacity to resist political interference and uphold electoral integrity.

“The Senate should also interrogate the nominee’s plans to address systemic challenges, including voter registration, result transmission, and enforcement of INEC’s regulations and guidelines.

“Nigerians expect the Senate confirmation process to be open to citizens’ participation in line with the Framework for Citizens’ Engagement in the INEC Appointment Process previously submitted to the Senate by the undersigned civil society organisations. This includes full disclosure of the nominee’s credentials, public service history, and capacity to manage elections without political interference,” the statement reads.

While acknowledging Professor Amupitan’s academic and professional accomplishments, they declared that they have no objection to his nomination, even as they tasked him to “demonstrate moral courage and resistance to political interference,” if confirmed by the Senate.
(GUARDIAN)

News

Recruitment: NCS sets Date For Final Exam

Published

2 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that the final computer-based examination for all successful Superintendent Cadre applicants will hold on Tuesday, 14 October, across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

According to a statement posted on the NCS recruitment update portal, the examination will be conducted simultaneously in designated states and centres based on candidates’ states of origin.

The service advised shortlisted applicants to log in with their National Identification Number (NIN) at https://updates.customs.gov.ng](https://updates.customs.gov.ng) to access their examination details, including assigned centres. Candidates are required to print their coloured examination slips for presentation at the venue.

The designated centres for the examination include Lagos and Osun (South West), Enugu and Abia (South East), Rivers and Edo (South South), Abuja and Kwara (North Central), Bauchi and Adamawa (North East), and Kaduna and Sokoto (North West).

NCS warned that failure to report at assigned centres could result in disqualification. Further details and specific instructions will be communicated through the recruitment update portal.

The agency stressed that the stage is strictly for successful applicants under the Superintendent Cadre category.