Albinism Association Gets First Female President

Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has announced the unveiling of Mrs Bisi Bamishe as its first female president.

Bamishe who took over the mantle of leadership from founding President, Mr Jake Epelle  becomes the first female president in the history of the association.

Other executive Officers of are ; Hajia Mariam  Ishaka (vice president), Adeyi Daniel (general secretary), Olusegun Abinbola (assistant general secretary) and Elizabeth Omotola (treasurer).

Others are Abel Mvandega (financial secretary), Nonye Ugbaugwu (Welfare Officer) and .Ismaila Salisu (Public Relations Officer).

In her New Year message, Bamishe called on federal and state governments to assist Persons With Albinism (PWAs) in having regular medical care for their eyes and skin.

“Our members need to have adequate medical care. Many are dying of skin cancer due to lack of preventive measures and prompt treatment for those suffering from skin cancer. We therefore, solicit for donation of sunblock lotion, eye glasses, hats and UV protection umbrellas”, she said.

According to her, PWAs are part of the disability community due to their low vision caused by low melanin pigmentation.

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“Persons with Albinism are usually as healthy as the rest of the population, with growth and development occurring as normal, but can be classified as disabled because of the associated visual impairments. It is an inherited (genetic) condition rather than an illness”, she stated.

Bamishe reiterated, “Our members need to have adequate medical care. Many are dying of skin cancer due to lack of preventive measures and prompt treatment for those suffering from skin cancer. We therefore, solicit for donation of sunblock lotion, eye glasses, hats and UV protection umbrellas.”

Noting that local production of sunlotion would be a greater advantage for PWAs, she called for research work to be done into domestication of sunblock lotion appropriate for African climate like kilimajaro suncream being produced in Tanzania for PWAs “.

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She enjoined persons with albinism to protect to ensure they participate in the upcoming national general election by obtaining their PVC as well as the national population census exercise that will soon commence nationwide.

Since the takeoff of the National officers of the Albinism Association, she disclosed that the association celebrated lnternational Albinism Awareness Day, International Day for Persons With albinism, adapted into Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), opened an operational bank account, have a unifying constitution and commenced election in state chapters.

Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) is the umbrella body of persons with albinism (PWAs) in Nigeria. With the vision to attain a fair, secure and socially inclusive society that empowers members and provides unfettered access  to opportunities for self-fulfillment and dignity of human life, its mission is to unite and protect the rights and interest of Persons with Albinism against discrimination and marginalisation in the society