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German, U.S. envoys advocate passage of disability rights bill

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja
15 June 2018   |   3:54 am
Germany Ambassador to Nigeria, Dietmar Kreusel, wants the Federal Government to consider the passage of disability rights bill. He made the call yesterday in Abuja at the international albinism awareness celebration with the theme: “shinning light to the world.” Kreusel said albinos and people with disabilities in Nigeria have suffered untold neglect from government and…

disabilities.

Germany Ambassador to Nigeria, Dietmar Kreusel, wants the Federal Government to consider the passage of disability rights bill.

He made the call yesterday in Abuja at the international albinism awareness celebration with the theme: “shinning light to the world.”

Kreusel said albinos and people with disabilities in Nigeria have suffered untold neglect from government and other sectors.

He lamented that people have certain misconceptions about albinism, including seeing them as reverential beings with certain belief, knowledge, habits and attitude.

Kreusel stressed the need to treat albinos fairly and embrace them as fellow human beings

Also, the United States of America (U.S.A.)’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symingnton urged people living with albinism to embrace themselves and be inclusive in various sectors.

He enjoined them to engage in agriculture, livestock and other societal activities to create a pathway for themselves.

Symington stressed that all individuals are important to the nation and the world at large, adding that Nigeria would be a very strong country, if it gives its citizens equal opportunities.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nigeria Albino Foundation, Jake Epelle, urged state government to support and improve the lives of people living with albinism.

He disclosed that cancer of the skin is prevalent among albinos in Nassarawa State, and urged the state government to embrace the ongoing free cancer treatment for persons with albinism.

He said: “The greatest skin cancer problem is from Nassarawa State, hence the need for governments to team up with us to find a lasting solution.”

The Federal Government has approved a free skin cancer treatment programme in which the European Union (EU) has shown interested.

He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Health had also written to the National Council of Health to support the programme.

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