THE Lagos State Government celebrated the year 2021 International Albinism Awareness Day with pupils in the State Primary and Secondary schools on Wednesday, 16th of June, 2021.
Mrs Abosede Adelaja, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, while speaking at the event held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, stated that albinism is a genetic condition and has nothing to do with individual character or personality.
She admonished the public against all forms of harassment, stigmatisation, and humiliation of fellow Nigerian students because of the difference in the colour of their hair and skin, urging them to be accommodating and avoid violence.
The guest lecturer at the event, Dr. Edi Onyinye Prisca, in her presentation titled, “Sensitisation /Awareness Campaign against Stigmatisation of Albinos in the Society: Role of Stakeholders”, commended the Lagos State Government for organising the awareness programme, adding that she never had such privileges during her childhood as an albino.
She advised the students to avoid exposing their skin to the sun and to manage their movement between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm in order to minimise the damage of ultraviolet (UV) rays to their skin. They were also urged to wear sunglasses to reduce the adverse effect of the sun on their eyes and vision.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of free Sun Screen to the pupils to help them in skin management and to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
