Ondo State Government has assured persons living with albinism that they will enjoy equal opportunities and would not be discriminated against in accessing government programmes and services.
The State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa gave the assurance during the 2026 International Albinism Awareness Day held in Akure with the theme, “Proudly My Skin: Celebrating All Skin Tones.”
Represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, said the administration had adopted deliberate measures to promote inclusion and eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities in the state.
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“We ensure that we communicate with their leadership and they are given the necessary slots.
“We have decided to choose today as a day to bring together persons with disabilities to create awareness, identify challenges they face and find solutions that government, stakeholders, individuals and even parents can adopt to ensure that every form of discrimination against them is stopped,” she said.
Osamaye described albinism as an inherited genetic condition that is neither infectious nor a curse, urging members of the public to treat persons living with the condition with love, respect and dignity.
“Persons with albinism are known for their unique skin colours. They are easily recognisable.
“But what they have is not by choice. It is hereditary; it is medical. Some of them were born like that. So we should not discriminate against them,” she said.
The commissioner said persons with albinism were often underrated and wrongly perceived as incapable, particularly in education and the workplace.
She stressed that they remained valuable members of society who deserved respect, equal opportunities and adequate support, while noting that early detection and proper skin care were important in preventing skin cancer.
Osamaye also urged persons living with albinism to remain confident and resilient despite societal challenges.
“Don’t look down on yourself, speak up for yourself, put in more effort, and you can achieve whatever you set for yourself,” she said.
The Chairman of the Association of Persons with Albinism in Ondo State, Ayodele Fagorola, commended the governor for efforts to remove barriers confronting persons with albinism.
Fagorola, however, lamented the continued discrimination and social exclusion experienced by persons with albinism, saying acceptability and integration remained among their major challenges.
He called on state governments to implement deliberate and sustained policies and programmes that promote inclusion.
“Continued stigma and discrimination undermine the sociopolitical and economic contributions persons with albinism make to their communities and the country,” Fagorola said.
The event was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Ondo State Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities.
As part of activities marking the day, the government distributed 360 tubes of sunscreen, 360 sunblocks and cash grants to persons living with albinism to help protect them from skin-related complications and support their welfare.