Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has shared his personal experience of growing up with albinism.
The clergyman described the journey as one filled with rejection, bullying, and body shaming.
The governor made the remarks during an event organised for people with albinism where he disclosed that many people doubted his chances in politics simply because of his skin condition.
He recounted how his wife stood by him during the difficult times, describing him as her “golden boy”.
According to him, the negative labels and discrimination that once kept him from public recognition have now been overturned, as he stands as the first governor in the country with albinism.
Eno pledged continued support for people living with the condition, stressing that they deserve honour and recognition.
He said: “Growing up with albinism wasn’t easy. I faced bullying, body-shaming, and rejection. But today, by God’s grace, I stand proudly. That’s why whenever I see anyone with this skin condition, I make it a point to honour and recognise them.
“They are golden people, and they have a golden governor.
“When we started this campaign, some people who did not have what to say said they did not want an albino governor. Do you remember?
“Then my dear wife came up and said to them, ‘You may be an albino, but to me, you are my golden boy.’
“They would not give us a chance in the past. They would body-shame us. They would call us names. They would not let us come to the public.
“But today, God has brought us out. So anywhere I see anyone with albinism, I must recognise them.”
