Count Down To 2022 IAAD In Uyo.

 Bisi Bamishe 

The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has concluded plans to celebrate this year's International Albinism  Awareness Day (IAAD) in Uyo, capital city of Akwa Ibom.

The Association will join the international community tomorrow, June 13th, 2022 to mark the United Nations approved day with the theme "United ln Making Our Voices Heard"

The event which will take place at Breakfort Hotel & Suites, will be attended by dignitaries both virtually and physically. 

Special guest of honour is the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof  Yemi Osinbajo. 

The guests of honour are Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Emmanuel Udom; Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Mrs Pauline Tallen; Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed; Minister of State for Health, Hon. Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora and  Director of Budget, Mr Ben Akabuneze.

Also are the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria/ ECOWAS, Amb. Samuelle Isopi; France  Ambassador to Nigeria, Emmmanuelle Blatmann, among others. 

The keynote address will be delivered by the American ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard.

Already, participants have  arrived in Uyo in preparation for the event as shown in the pictures below 

President AAN, Jack Epelle

This year's theme was chosen :

• because including voices of persons with albinism is essential to ensure equality #Inclusion4equality
• to celebrate how groups of persons with albinism and individuals increase the visibility of persons with albinism in all domains of life
• to encourage and celebrate unity among groups of persons with albinism.
• to amplify the voices and visibility of persons with albinism in all areas of life
• to highlight the work being done by albinism groups around the world.
• History of IAAD. OnDecember 18, 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. This historic resolution confirmed the global focus on albinism advocacy. The late Ambassador of the Mission of Somalia to the U.N., Geneva, Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari-Bari, led the effort to pass the resolution in cooperation with Under the Same Sun, an organization that promotes and protects the rights of people with albinism, particularly in Africa.