Segun Atanda/
More than 6,000 residents of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State have received life-changing eye care services during the Vision First Plus outreach organized by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
NewsmakersNG reports that the 5-day event, held from August 26 to 30, marked a critical effort to combat preventable blindness and improve the quality of life in the community.
The outreach, which saw 6,575 beneficiaries from both within and outside Bariga LCDA, provided a comprehensive range of medical services including eye screenings, surgeries, medication, and prescription glasses. This initiative is part of NNPC and SNEPCo’s ongoing commitment to bring essential healthcare services to underserved communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch, SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Elohor Aiboni, emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy vision, noting that it is often a neglected aspect of overall health.
Represented by Managing Counsel Upstream Nigeria, SNEPCo, Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, Aiboni praised the collaboration that made the outreach possible, highlighting it as the third of such initiatives in Lagos since the Vision First Plus program was introduced two years ago.
“Our sight is a vital connection to our surroundings, helping us to avoid danger, enhance our cognitive abilities, and open doors to learning and economic opportunities,” Aiboni said. “This intervention is crucial to ensuring these benefits are accessible to all.”
Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), represented by Bunmi Lawson, reflected on the success of the program: “From the smiles of individuals who can see clearly for the first time in years, to the stories of renewed hope and confidence, Vision First has become a beacon of light for many. Our mission remains to ensure that no one is left in the dark due to preventable or correctable vision issues.”
Professor Olukorede Adenuga, Chairman of Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, underscored the necessity of regular eye examinations, particularly as individuals age, to prevent avoidable vision loss.
The Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Alabi Kolade, lauded the initiative as a timely intervention.
He said, “Sight is life. This outreach is invaluable, especially at a time when vision impairment is known to significantly reduce the quality of life, limit employment opportunities, and heighten rates of depression and anxiety.”
The outreach achieved remarkable results, with 1,787 individuals screened for various eye conditions, 1,696 receiving prescription glasses and medications, 233 undergoing successful cataract and pterygium surgeries, and 1,212 others treated for various ailments.
Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, represented by Deputy Director Adeniran Ifeyemi, commended NNPC, SNEPCo, and their partners for the impactful initiative.
The Vision First Plus program aligns with the National Eye Health Policy 2019, which highlights that preventable blindness accounts for 75% of visual impairments in Nigeria.
NewsmakersNG learnt that the NNPC/SNEPCo outreach is a vital step in the fight against avoidable blindness by ensuring early diagnosis and treatment.
NNPC, SNEPCo, and their co-venture partners have consistently demonstrated their commitment to social investment, with programs that have improved lives in internally displaced camps in Northeast Nigeria, rebuilt healthcare and educational infrastructure, and awarded scholarships, among other initiatives.
As the Vision First Plus program continues to expand, it brings hope to countless Nigerians, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against preventable blindness.
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