NNPC, SNEPCo organise medical eye care outreach for Lagos community

No fewer than 6,575 people have benefitted from an eye care outreach organised by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).

The outreach, with 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.

SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Elohor Aiboni, who spoke during the ceremony, said the outreach was a key investment in maintaining healthy vision, which is an important but often neglected aspect of life.

Aiboni, who was represented by Managing Counsel Upstream Nigeria, SNEPCo, Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, commended the collaboration, which resulted in the outreach, the third in Lagos State since the Vision First Plus initiative was launched in the state two years ago.

She said: “Our sight, a crucial connection to our surroundings, safeguards us from danger, sharpens our minds, and unlocks the doors to learning, economic opportunities, and independence, hence we consider this intervention as crucial.”

Also, in a speech read by Bunmi Lawson, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti, said: “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 truly become a beacon of light for many. This year, as we continue our journey, our mission remains unchanged: to ensure that no one is left in the dark due to preventable or correctable vision issues.”

Executive Director and Chairman, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, Prof. Olukorede Adenuga, stressed the need for “regular eye examination as one gets older to prevent avoidable loss of vision.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Alabi Kolade, described the vision outreach as a timely intervention at a time that vision impairment is found to affect the quality of life of adult populations, lower people’s rates of employment and increase their rates of depression and anxiety.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olusegun Ogboye, who was represented by Adeniran Ifeyemi, a deputy director in the ministry, commended NNPC, SNEPCo, and their co-venture partners for the initiative.