… As Kebbi Gov’s wife wants Nigerians to shun discrimination against Albinos***

State governors under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have pledged to provide the needed platform for the party to return to power at the federal level in 2023.

The Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, on Sunday made the pledge at a state banquet, organised by the Akwa-lbom State government, ahead of the forum meeting in Uyo.

Tambuwal said that the PDP governors would not disappoint Nigerians who are looking up to them to actualise their yearnings for the party to return to power in 2023.

“These star-studded leaders of PDP governors in their respective states and political generals are determined by the grace of God through your prayers, support and cooperation, to rescue Nigeria.

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“It is a task that we must accomplish to the glory of God and his glory alone.

“God on our side, we are determined as leaders, to provide that platform for the emergence of another PDP leadership in this country, come 2023,” Tambuwal said.

He urged all citizens, especially religious leaders, to continue to pray for the country, especially over the security situation in the country.

“We need prayers. God is always there for His people and will never be tired of Nigeria for His glory,” Tambuwal added.

Earlier in his remarks, Gov. Emmanuel Udom, welcoming the PDP governors to the state, told them that their people did not make mistakes in electing them to represent them.

Udom described the PDP governors as leaders with characters and charisma.

PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, speaking on behalf of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), said the PDP governors are making the party proud with their performances in their respective states.

“Today, if there is any hope of democracy in Nigeria, it has come from the PDP governors because of their excellent performance in their states,” he said.

Enoidem advised the PDP governors to sustain those efforts to foster development in Nigeria.

He said that though the responsibilities ahead are enormous, PDP governors must continue to work together to rise to the challenges facing of the country.

PDP governors at the event were those of Akwa-lbom, Adamawa, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Taraba, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Edo and the deputy governor of Zamafara State.

In the meantime,  Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, wife of Kebbi State Governor, on Sunday appealed to Nigerians to shun any form of discrimination against persons living with Albinism.

She made the plea at the distribution of COVID-19 relief support to Albinos held at the Medicaid Cancer Foundation Office in Birnin Kebbi.

The newsmen report that the ceremony was also in commemoration of 2021 International Albinism Awareness Day in Kebbi State.

The governor’s wife, represented by Special Adviser to Gov. Atiku Bagudu on Empowerment, Hajiya Maimuna Suleiman-Jega, said the call became imperative in view of the stigma albinos experience from other people.

She advised Nigerians to show love, care and support for people living with Albinism.

The governor’s wife, a strong advocate of social inclusion of vulnerable groups and chief campaigner against all forms of discrimination against vulnerable groups, including albinos, said: “The society needs to change its discriminatory attitude against abinos.

“Nigerians should be aware that albinos, due to their lack of melanin, the skin pigment are vulnerable to skin cancers and eye defects. As such, they need financial support to purchase sunscreen and full body covering clothes right from childhood.

“I want to call on people to see Albinos as important part of the society, who are capable of contributing their lots to the development of the society and the nation at large.”

According to her: “I have special care and concern for people living with Albinism and as such, I have been having a series of meetings with the leadership of people living with Albinism to offer support to them.

“Last month, we met with the National Chairman of the Association as well as the Kebbi State representatives of the association, all with the aim of discussing issues that will provide support for them.

”Similarly, Governor Bagudu too, has been assisting in various programmes that will provide support for them.”

Earlier in a welcome address, Assistant Coordinator, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Muktar Alkali, said the United Nations accepted the resolution to commemorate the International Albinism Awareness Day on 13th of every June since 2013, in order to raise awareness on Albinism.

This, he said, is with a view to bringing to an end the discrimination being faced by albinos throughout the world.

”Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu also directed that we should invite the albinos association to recognise them and salute them for their contributions to societal development,”’ he noted.

The Zonal Coordinator of Albinos Foundation in Kebbi State, Malam Abba Galadima, appreciated the governor’s wife for what he described as ”Mother of the Albinos in the state.”

He thanked both Gov. Bagudu and his wife for the invaluable gesture of the COVID-19 relief assistance to the members.

He also advised members of the association to take good care of themselves and steer clear from too much sunlight and heat which are detrimental to their health.