Nigeria has made history by crowning its first albinism advocacy queen, Anita Chidiebube-Dike, at a groundbreaking pageant in Lagos. The event, hosted by Misty Glam Company in partnership with the Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN), aimed to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity for people with albinism.
The pageant featured ten contestants aged 18 to 50, who participated in a two-day advocacy bootcamp prior to the finale. They received training in leadership, public speaking, and personal grooming to prepare them for roles as advocates beyond the stage. The event also included runway showcases featuring models with disabilities, vitiligo, and other underrepresented traits, emphasizing that beauty extends beyond conventional standards.
Anita Chidiebube-Dike, the newly crowned queen, pledged to use her platform to combat harmful myths and stereotypes about albinism, particularly those perpetuated by media and skit makers. She received a cash prize of N500,000, a digital skills scholarship, and beauty products worth N3 million.
Tolani Ojuri, Chairperson of AAN, highlighted the challenges faced by people with albinism, including sensitivity to sunlight, vision issues, and social discrimination. She stressed the importance of advocacy and education to ensure proper skin care and prevent health risks like skin cancer.
The pageant organisers, led by Misturah Owolabi of Misty Glam Company, described the event as a step toward “rewriting representation” in Nigeria’s fashion and beauty industry. The agency, founded in 2022, represents models with diverse traits, including albinism, vitiligo, tribal marks, and disabilities.
This initiative reflects a growing movement to redefine beauty standards in Nigeria and promote broader societal acceptance for marginalized communities.
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