Plight of Nigerian albinos

THE recent visit to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu by members of the Albino Foundation to register their displeasure over perceived societal discrimination against albinos is understandable. The estimated two million albinos, like other Nigerians, have rights under the 1999 Constitution; Section 42 thereof expressly forbids any kind of discrimination against any person due to religion, ethnicity, or circumstances of birth. Skin pigmentation should not in any way be an excuse for singling out albinos for discrimination.
A delegation of the Albino Foundation led by the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, a former Minister of Health, Chief Silas Ilo and the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Albino Foundation, Mr. Jack Epelle, among others, visited Chief Wogu to solicit government’s support in improving the well-being of albinos. Among the programmes the delegation wants government to identify with is the Sunshade Programme which is designed to assist albinos whenever they stay out in the sun or wear protective covering in the work place.
The delegation used the opportunity to express their objection to the current practice whereby albinos are not allowed to enlist in the army, police and other security agencies simply on the basis of their skin pigmentation. They also pointed out that albinos are routinely attacked and abducted by ritual killers. Some evil, desperate people, who erroneously believe that making rituals with albinos’ body parts is a quick way of making money, are allegedly targeting them.
The delegation therefore appealed to the federal government to allow albinos join the army, police and other security agencies and also protect their lives. They also reportedly visited the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos, where they made the same case before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone, Mr. Azubuko Udah.
It is good that the Minister and the police boss expressed government’s dissatisfaction with discrimination against albinos and promised to ensure their protection. Government should take more than a partial interest in the welfare of albinos and indeed all Nigerians.
The fears that albinos are being targeted for rituals may not be unfounded against the backdrop of stories of albinos being killed not just in Nigeria, but also elsewhere in Africa. There is however across the country, a general wave of insecurity; with threat to lives and property. Ritualists not only target albinos, but also hunchbacks and pregnant women – that this is the case is a reflection of the highly superstitious character of our society. Government has a special responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons, albinos inclusive. When persons feel unsafe in their own country, they lose faith in the ability of the state and the political leadership to protect and defend their rights and interests.
With regard to the army or police, the armed forces have established criteria for enlisting anyone into the force, only those that meet such criteria are selected. Albinos are not the only group of persons considered unfit for either police or military work due to the special challenges involved, others include persons who are either too short or flat-footed. And perhaps this may be understandable. In the case of albinos, skin pigmentation is obviously an issue as regular military and police assignments may require long and extended exposure to the sun, or other difficult circumstances. But if so, is it not then possible to engage albinos, even in the Police and the Armed Forces, in the administrative cadre?
Albinos can definitely be engaged in other jobs like other people without discrimination. Albinos with appropriate qualifications should feel free to compete with others for jobs and they should be allowed to do so.
The proposed legislation by the National Assembly that would promote the rights, dignity and well being of persons with disabilities in the country is important. With such a law in place, the plight of albinos among other individuals with any form of disability would be protected, but the true test lies in promoting in the general environment respect for the dignity of the human person