CP seeks continuity

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approving a free eye screening and corrective glasses programme for officers of the Nigeria Police, state command, describing the initiative as timely, impactful, and unprecedented in the command.

The programme, which ended yesterday, provided free eye tests and prescription eyeglasses to 1,000 police personnel and their families.

The CP, while speaking at the event, said that the intervention goes beyond partnership, noting that it reflects the governor’s genuine commitment to the welfare and operational effectiveness of security officers in Lagos State.

According to Jimoh, upon the report of the outreach, he made an urgent appeal for the Lagos State Police Command to be included, a request that was promptly approved by the governor.

“This is a very welcome development. Even though our eyesight may be good when we join the Force, the nature of police work exposes officers to daily stress that can gradually affect vision. This programme has helped to identify and correct such challenges,” the CP said.

He said that officers diagnosed with visual impairments—whether caused by refractive errors or job-related stress—were provided with corrective glasses, while others received professional medical advice on how to maintain healthy eyesight.

Jimoh noted that good vision is critical to effective policing, stressing that visual defects can hinder officers from performing optimally on duty.

The commissioner, who described the initiative as the first of its kind in the Lagos State Police Command, appealed to Sanwo-Olu to sustain the programme periodically, suggesting a follow-up phase within the next three months to capture officers who were not included in the initial batch.

“We are hopeful that the governor will consider extending this programme so that more of our personnel can benefit. Continuous support like this makes policing in the state easier and more effective,” he added.

In his remark during the exercise held at the State Police Command, Ikeja, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation and Logistics and facilitator of the initiative, Hassan Adekoya, said the extension reflects the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to the well-being of security personnel.

Adekoya stressed that Sanwo-Olu had broadened the scope to include members of the police force after a successful completion of a comprehensive package for 10,000 professional drivers in Lagos State.

He said: “The outreach aimed to complement ongoing wellbeing efforts by the police leadership, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

“We recognise that without the police, society cannot be safe. They are the backbone of our security architecture. This programme is our modest contribution to support their health and wellbeing.”

One of the beneficiaries, Inspector Kabiru Magaji, expressed deep appreciation to the governor and the leadership of the Police Force for facilitating the exercise.

Magaji described the intervention as timely and life-changing, noting that it would significantly improve his daily activities and professional efficiency.