Int'l Albinism Day (Aired News-Analysis)

ADDRESSING THE ONGOING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ALBINOS AS THE INTERNATIONAL ALBINISM AWARENESS DAY IS MARKED TODAY SATURDAY JUNE 13, 2015

       

        

Albinism is a genetic deficiency of melanin pigment production in which the carrier, either a person or animal, possesses very white skin, white hair and pink eyes. It is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. The carrier of the syndrome is generally regarded as an ‘Albino’.

       

In albinism, a number of different chromosomes are involved, depending upon the type. There are two major classes of albinism, namely; Oculocutaneous albinism and Ocular albinism. Oculocutaneous albinism affects the eyes, hair and skin, whereas only the eyes are affected in Ocular albinism.

       

Approximately one in seventeen thousand (17,000) persons worldwide has one of the types of albinism. It is noteworthy that, albinism can affect any race and has been extensively studied in other animal species like mouse.

        

Visual plights are a significant feature of albinism. In albinism condition, Melanin is reduced or could be totally absent in the eye, skin, hair as well as the brain, thereby causing maldevelopment of neural pathways related to vision. Abnormalities in cone morphology have also been detected in the fovea. More so, severe nystagmus, photophobia, strabismus, and reduced visual acuity are common features.

        

The precise appearance of an albino depends on which syndrome or condition is involved. Medical analysts are of the view that people with albinism have red eyes, but the colour of the iris varies from a dull grey to blue or even brown. In albinism condition, a brown iris is common among ethnic groups with darker pigmentation.

       

Under certain lighting conditions, there is a reddish or violet hue that reflects through the iris from the retina and the eyes then appear red, similar to the red eye in flash photography. In some types of albinism, the red colour can reflect back through the iris as well as the pupil.

       

Diagnosis is based on careful history of pigment development and an examination of the skin, hair and eyes. The only type of albinism that has white hair at birth is the OCA1. The most accurate test for determining the specific type of albinism is a genetic test, though the test is useful only for families that have individuals with albinism. Hence it cannot be performed practically as a screening test for the general population.

       

None of the available tests is capable of detecting all the mutations of the genes that cause albinism. And, responsible mutations cannot be detected in a small number of individuals and families with albinism. Optical coherence tomography can be a useful adjunct in cases of OCA, which display atypical features.

        

Ophthalmologists and optometrists can help people living with albinism to compensate for their eye problems but they cannot be cured. Astigmatism is the most common eye problem across all the subtypes of albinism, whilst there is a high frequency of hypermetropia in OCA1A patients. However, ordinary glasses or bifocals with a strong reading correction may serve well for many people with albinism.

         

For photophobia, dark glasses or photo-chromic lenses are recommendable. There is no proof that dark glasses will improve vision even when used at a very early age, but they may improve comfort. Recent advances include contact lenses with a special iris tint and clear pupil area as well as bi-level telemicroscopes fitted on to patients’ prescription spectacles.

       

Albinism can be prevented, though could be expensive for low-income families. Gene testing can be used to determine if a foetus has albinism. Amniocentesis is performed at 16 to 18 weeks of gestation. But, those considering such testing should be aware that, if given proper support, children with albinism can function well despite considerable visual handicap and also enjoy normal lifespan. 

        

Today Saturday June 13, the world over is marking the maiden International Albinism Awareness Day. On Wednesday 19^th of November 2014, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) adopted June 13 each year as the International Albinism Awareness Day via a historic resolution. June 13 was chosen because it was on that day in 2013 that the UN adopted its first ever resolution on albinism.

        

The UN calls on all stakeholders to use this day to take action that will end discrimination, stigma, intimidation, humiliation, attacks, and what have you, against persons living with albinism worldwide. To this end, we can take action by indulging in the following:

1.  Inviting a local organization of persons with albinism to address our respective institutions.

2. Creating discussion forums in our workplaces on how we, both individually and collectively, can contribute towards ending the discrimination experienced by persons with albinism through our own belief systems.

3. Encouraging our friends, associates, relations, and/or employees, as the case may be, to spend reasonable time with the various societies of persons with albinism in order to assist them in addressing discrimination, among other uncalled treatments.

And finally, but not the least, sponsoring a local radio, television or print media campaign on June 13 to raise awareness about the rights of persons with albinism.

        

In addition, as the global community marks the first annual International Albinism Awareness Day, there is a pressing need for the law makers to enact a strict law that would thoroughly address all the challenges being faced by albinos in Nigeria with a view to actualizing a country where fairness and equity are seen as its watchword. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056 

@fdnnwaozor  

        

    

2015 World Day Against Child Labour (Aired News-Commentary)

KICKING AGAINST CHILD LABOUR AS THE 2015 WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR IS MARKED TODAY FRIDAY JUNE 12

     

        

Child labour refers to the employment or engagement of children in any work or activity that deprives them of their childhood rights, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to them. It can also be defined as a fulltime employment of children who are under a minimum legal age.

        

Child labour is globally considered as an exploitative practice. Many international bodies describe it as an inhumane act. Legislations across the world prohibit it with extreme passion, that, it is widely regarded as a societal monster. Though, these laws do not consider all work by children as ‘child labour’; exceptions include, work by child artists, supervised training, and certain categories of work such as those common among indigenous American children, among other countries that are technologically inclined.

        

Prior to 1940, several children aged 5-14 worked in Europe, the United States and various colonies of European Powers. These children worked in areas including agriculture, factories, home-based operations, and mining. Some worked night shifts lasting twelve hours. Subsequently, with the rise of household income, availability of schools as well as passage of child labour laws, the rate of the incidence dropped tremendously.

       

In developing countries with high poverty and poor schooling opportunities, child labour is still prevalent. For instance, in 2010, Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest incidence rates of child labour with several African nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and many others witnessing over fifty percent (50%) of children aged 5-14 involved in one or two uncalled activities.

       

Survey shows that agriculture is the largest employer of child labour worldwide. More so, vast majority of child labour cases is found in rural settings as well as informal urban economies; in this area, children are predominantly employed by their parents or guardians, rather than factories. Suffice it to say; child labour is fundamentally attributed to poverty and lack of education or illiteracy.

      

According to the World Bank, the incidence of child labour in the world decreased from twenty-five percent (25%) to ten percent (10%) between the years 1960 and 2003. Nevertheless, with the acknowledgement of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), recently by the year 2013, the total number of child labourers remained high involving about 168 million children worldwide.

       

During the Industrial Revolution, children as young as four were employed in production factories with dangerous, and often fatal, working conditions. In view of the recent understanding of the dangers attached to the use of children as labourers, presently it is considered by wealthy countries such as Germany, Japan, France, the U.S.A, et al, as a human rights violation, thereby outlawing its practice. Whilst, some poorer countries still condone child labour.

         

It is noteworthy that, child labour has in recent times deteriorated appallingly in most developing nations like Nigeria. The one that has degenerated into a fathomless eyesore is the ongoing alarming incidence of hawking witnessed on several streets or roads across the federation. The most devastating aspect of this scenario is a situation where the children in question would be seen hawking their wares when they are meant to be in their classrooms. It is usually noticed that most of these child hawkers are under the care of their so-called guardians or relatives, unknowingly to their biological parents that their children are being subjected into such torture or life-threatening activity.

        

The type observed in the area of prostitution cannot be swept under the carpet whenever child labour is being discussed. In most occasions, female children are cajoled into prostitution by some pimps. The less-privileged parents would be told by the pimp, albeit deceitfully, that their children would be taken abroad for some lucrative jobs; they would also be informed that the children would be privileged to attend one of the best schools in the world.

        

Today Friday June 12, the global community is commemorating the World Day Against Child Labour. The Day was launched in 2002 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12^th day of June, the World Day Against Child Labour brings together governments, employers, NGOs and civil society as well as millions of well-meaning individuals from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

        

As the world marks the World Day Against Child Labour, we are requested to do everything within our reach to ensure that poverty and illiteracy, which are the basic attributes of child labour, are drastically and holistically alleviated in our respective societies. In addition, the legislature is expected to establish a law that would assign capital punishment to anyone found guilty of the abuse, which is currently on rampage in Nigeria. Think about it!

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

@fdnnwaozor      

    

               

Gov Okorocha's Continuity Tour

GOV OKOROCHA’S CONTINUITY TOUR

       

On a close and painstaking study, you will observe that the April 26 and May 6, 2011 gubernatorial polls in Imo State are synonymous to the just concluded April 11 and April 25, 2015 elections, respectively. Those of 2011, which inculcates both the main and supplementary polls, were when Chief Rochas Okorocha was elected as the Governor of Imo State for the first term. Same fate repeated itself when Gov Okorocha contested for a second term in office having worked assiduously and meritoriously during his first term.

        

According to the Governor, declaring his both elections as ‘inconclusive’ signify that he is unique thus ought to be tagged as ‘a thing of divinity’. I quite agree with the Governor, but I must also let him realize that such scenario didn’t just signify that he is a ’unique’ individual, but that God wanted to use the medium to send him a very crucial message he couldn’t have gotten from any person, not even his darling wife – Her Excellency. And, I’m quite sure the Governor got the message in question as planned or sent by the Almighty.

         

It is no longer news that Gov Owelle Rochas Okorocha, OON has assumed duty for his second term in office. Suffice it to say; Imolites are no longer concerned or bothered with who would be the next Governor in the state as it was the talk of the day barely few weeks ago, rather they are currently preoccupied with ‘what would be the way forward’. And that is the essence of this piece.

        

I must state unequivocally without any favour, that, Governor Okorocha has succeeded in rescuing Imo Sate in line with his administration slogan ‘Rescue Mission’. Right now, Owelle ought not to be overwhelmed by the unquantifiable accomplishments recorded by his government during his first term in office; rather, he should be focused on how to actualize all his electioneering campaign promises.

         

He made it clear during the electioneering era that, his second term would be concerned with human capital development as well as stomach infrastructure, which he tagged ‘Factory-factory-factory, Job-job-job’. Gov Okorocha must note that the expectations of Imolites are very high, especially considering or taking reference from his remarkable cum dogged efforts and achievements during his first term; hence he is expected to be very careful, observant and vigilant.

       

If he must live up to the expectation, he ought to commence with vigorous prayers. He shouldn’t only pray for himself or ask God to direct/guide him, he should also engage Imolites in their entirety in the said prayers. He ought to enjoin Imolites to continually remember him (the Governor) in their respective prayer devotions. Secondly, he should never make attempt to betray his conscience. Let’s ride on!

        

For Governor Okorocha’s forthcoming achievement to exceed that of his first term, he must acknowledge that it begins with the kind of personalities that will make up his inborn cabinet. Therefore, I urge him to go back to the drawing board for sober reflection so that he wouldn’t make mistakes. If he intends to reengage those who were in his cabinet during his first administration, then he must ask himself in what way the persons in question have contributed positively towards the first term accomplishments. On the other hand, if he wishes to employ different faces, he must also consider their respective backgrounds or credibility; social, professional, and political wise.

         

This time, Imolites are only interested in pragmatic approach toward actualizing the anticipated dividend of democracy, not speeches or mere oral utterances, which are peculiar to Nigerian leadership. In other words, they can’t accept excuses from anyone. The overwhelming love Imolites had developed in Gov Okorocha’s person is expected to be magnified at this time.

        

Gov Okorocha’s continuity tour, which he embarked upon on the 29^th of May, 2015 is expected to arrive at the appropriate destination; else, uncalled critics would have something to celebrate for. Chief Rochas Okorocha has gone so far in this journey; hence he cannot afford to fail at this point. For this to hold, he must beware of sycophancy, and he should endeavour to detest hypocrisy with extreme passion.

       

At this juncture, I urge every Imolite who thinks good of this state to come together, so that, Imo would be greater just as the amiable governor desires. The critics mustn’t hesitate to tender constructive criticism when necessary; whilst, the supporters on their parts, must endeavour to steer clear from praise singing or presentation of eulogies when it is not called for. I solicit for anything that would be wholesome toward the growth of the Eastern Heartland at large.

        

Most importantly, we must note that as we expect a lot from the government, so does the government expect from us. It is high time we realized that it is a two-way thing; of course, leadership and followership are interwoven.

       

So, as Gov Okorocha is prepared to holistically consolidate his Rescue Mission accomplishments, silver and gold I have none, but I could wish him success all the way. I’ve earlier advised his Excellency to change his slogan from ‘Rescue Mission’ to something that is related to his incoming thrive since he has succeeded in rescuing Imolites. Think about it!

 COMR FRED D.N NWAOZOR

(The Media Ambassador)

_________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056