Mr. Jake Epelle, founder of the Albino Foundation, says that albinism is not contagious but hereditary, contrary to beliefs in many quarters.
He made the clarification while answering questions at the Nigerian News Agency Forum in Abuja on Sunday.
Epelle said the foundation was established in 2006 to address albinism, which occurs in people with limited melanin production.
“It is hereditary and it is not contagious; due to limited melanin, you have a pale color in eyes, skin and hair.
“When you have that, they call it oculocutaneous albinism.
“The second aspect has to do with ocular albinism, that is, this individual has a measurable amount of melanin, but it is not enough to correct the defect in the eyes.
“So you find the person with black hair and maybe a type of skin tone that is known as ocular albinism.
“It’s just a skin condition. It doesn’t limit you from doing anything you have to do.
“We have challenges with our eyes and not being able to withstand the harsh effect of the sun, but we are normal people.”
According to him, many times people think that albinism is contagious and that is why, when a pregnant woman sees a person with albinism, she thinks that she is going to give birth to a person with albinism.
“It passes from one generation to the next. For example, my parents had me because they both have the gene.
“For you to be a person with albinism, the gene has to be in both parents.”
Epelle said the foundation had raised awareness of albinism issues that educated the public on the correct information.
He added that the formulation of better policies to address the problems of albinism was hampered by accurate data on albinism in the country.
According to him, the foundation has conducted research in about eight states to identify the areas with the highest number of people with albinism, with some surprising results.
“That is a big problem because we don’t have precise numbers and that brings us to the issue of data; We need accurate data.
“As an organization and as a country in general, we need to be precise.
“We’ve done a little bit of research in about eight states and there were some surprises.
“The data shows that the country has more people with albinism in Kogi than in Enugu state, contrary to the belief that it is more prevalent in Enugu state.”
Epelle said that Nigeria had a large number of people with albinism compared to other countries.
“I am completely convinced that there are more than four million people or more with albinism in Nigeria, considering the number that we are projecting because it is a mere projection.”
He said the foundation had agreed to work with the National Population Commission to capture albinism in the next census, which would allow the country to generate an accurate date.
Regarding the financing of the activities of the foundation, Epelle said that the European Union granted a grant to which the Federal Government is a signatory.
“So in terms of government support, we get platform support and funding from some international organizations and those funds are project-oriented,” he said.
According to him, some individuals and corporate organizations also help the foundation with funds.
He praised the Abuja National Hospital for its support in treating cancer in people living with albinism.
Epelle said the foundation would continue to strive to address not only albinism issues, but also issues affecting people living with disabilities in Nigeria.