As part of events marking the 80th birthday of the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo, a partnership between TREM and the Eye Foundation has been announced to offer free cataract surgeries to Nigerians.

The initiative, which targets individuals suffering from cataracts, a condition that clouds the eye’s natural lens and leads to blurry or impaired vision, will include free screening and surgery at the Eye Foundation Centre in Ikorodu, Lagos.

According to the Chairman of the committee, Reverend Chinedu Nkere, the free surgeries are part of Okonkwo’s broader legacy of humanitarian service and community outreach.

“Cataract remains one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, especially among low-income Nigerians. By providing this service at no cost, we are offering a second chance at sight and a better quality of life for 500 people,” Nkere said.

According to experts, cataract surgery is the only reliable treatment for the condition, significantly improving patients’ vision, mobility, and independence. Beyond restoring sight, the surgeries are expected to reduce the risk of falls, enhance colour perception, and support other treatments for eye health.

Nkere explained that the free eye surgeries are one of several initiatives lined up in honour of Okonkwo on his birthday.

Beyond the pulpit, his impact is felt through initiatives under the Empowerment for the Less Privileged (ELP) Foundation, which supports hospitals, vocational training, education, and health outreach campaigns.

He and his wife, Bishop Peace Okonkwo, are also behind several community-focused projects, including cervical cancer screenings for rural women, widows’ empowerment programmes, and youth mentorship programmes.