Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and its partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, have revealed that over 4000 residents in communities on
Lagos Island enjoyed free eye care services at their just concluded Vision First Initiative.
The week-long programme offered free screening, glasses, surgeries, and prescriptions in the second Lagos edition of the programme, which was launched in 2022.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, described medical eye care as a critical necessity that should be accessible, affordable, and of priority.
In his own words, “clear vision should be a fundamental right for all and not a luxury. That is why NNPC and SNEPCo launched the Vision First Initiative as our contributions to preventive and corrective visual aids to Nigerians.”
Wunti, who was represented by the Manager of Stakeholder Relations for NUIMS, Ms. Julie Utang, said that “we will continue to champion the implementation of sustainable, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects and programmes that positively impact the lives of Nigerians.”
Likewise, the Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, stated that the initiative would continue to focus on visual aids, surgical treatments, and the prevention of visual impairment and childhood blindness.
Aiboni, who was represented by SNEPCo’s Managing Counsel, Mrs. Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, expressed that sharpness of vision and clear eyesight play an important role in the quality of life of individuals, and the initiative seeks to eliminate preventable and treatable blindness, while also providing risk communication on poor health-seeking behaviours.
According to her, “around 2,000 people were screened; 1,199 prescription glasses dispensed; 1,310 beneficiaries received medication; while 189 people had successful procedures.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, represented by the Deputy Director, Dr. Adeniran Ifeyemi, thanked NNPC, SNEPCo, and their co-venture partners for the initiative. He added that health is one of the integral components of the ‘T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda’ of the Lagos State government and the health component of the agenda is anchored on the premise of the Lagos State Health Scheme, which is designed to ensure that every resident has quality, equitable and affordable healthcare.
The THEMES Agenda stands for Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21st Century state; Security and Governance.
The Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr. Muibi Folawiyo, also commended the “Vision First Initiative” on behalf of the people of his local council and invited other organizations to emulate SNEPCo and its partners.
