Group Calls Out to Journalists for Collaboration

Albino Foundation, a non- governmental organization that fights for the right of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria, has called out to journalists in Osun state for collaboration on an ongoing project on European Union for Social Democratic Governance in Nigeria: EU-SDGN in Abuja, Osun and Ekiti State.

The NGO made their intention known during the courtesy visit made to the Nigeria Union of Journalists Osun council at their Congress which held in Osogbo Secretariat.

This is as the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji assured the Organization of the council's support towards their objective.

Comrade Ayantunji, who commended the Organization for having it's target group at heart said the task is a huge one, added that with all hands on deck, training of journalists and dissemination of information appropriately, the project will achieve success.

In his address, the TAF/EU- SDGN Project Supervisor, Mr Kehinde Ogungbiyitan, said the Albino Foundation (TAF) is an organization set up and run by Persons living with Albinism (PWA), a special focused organization advocating for the recognition, respect for the rights and socio-economic inclusion of people living with albinism and other vulnerable groups.

Ogungbiyitan while calling out to the Osun Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists also said that the objectives of the organization includes Healthcare, Legislation and Policy Advocacy, Social Awareness, Learning and Education, Economic Development, Albinism Rights and Disabilities Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities.

He also added that the Organization makes Outreaches through Media publicity of TAF/EU-SDGN programs and activities including Town hall and community outreach in rural areas, Advocacy meeting with relevant stakeholders on disability inclusion, training of Persons with disabilities contestants among others.

Earlier in her opening remark, the Project Lead for TAF/EU-SDGN, Mrs Funmi Abdullahi informed all that the NGOs project began in 2018 on the Inclusion of persons with disabilities in political and electoral process in Nigeria.

She affirmed that every person’s voice matters, but there are those whose voice is weak, hindered in presenting their views or seeking access to their government, hence deserving special focus and help, which is a challenge persons with disabilities face in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

Mrs Abdullahi informed the gathering that Nigeria Disability Act was signed into Law on January 25th 2018, focusing on inclusiveness of persons with Disabilities in all facets of life, but yet to be feasible in Osun, this is part of the advocacy to media in the state for support in propagating the cause to bring the attention of relevant stakeholders on inclusion of persons with disabilities in electoral and political process in Osun State.

The Chairman Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, Comrade Kehinde Onitiju led the Association members who are of different clusters such as the Deaf, Albinos, Virtually Impaired, the Spinal Cord group among others to the Advocacy visit.