Shell Nigeria has announced that over 6,575 people benefitted from a five-day eyecare outreach held in the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State. The initiative, conducted from August 26 to 30, was part of the Vision First Plus programme organized by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
In a statement issued by Shell Nigeria’s Media Relations Manager, Gladys Afam-Anadu, it was revealed that beneficiaries from both within and outside the Bariga LCDA received various eyecare services, including screenings, surgeries, medications, and prescription glasses. This outreach is part of an ongoing campaign to deliver critical healthcare services to communities across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event’s opening ceremony, SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Elohor Aiboni, emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy vision as a key to enhancing quality of life. Aiboni, represented by SNEPCo’s Managing Counsel Upstream Nigeria, Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, praised the collaborative efforts that made the outreach possible, noting it was the third such event in Lagos since the Vision First Plus initiative launched two years ago.
“Our sight is a crucial connection to the world around us. It protects us from danger, sharpens our minds, and opens doors to learning, economic opportunities, and independence. We consider this intervention critical,” said Aiboni.
Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Vision First has become a beacon of light for many. From people seeing clearly for the first time in years to renewed hope and confidence, our mission remains to ensure that no one is left in the dark due to preventable or correctable vision issues.”
Professor Olukorede Adenuga, Executive Director and Chairman of the Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, underscored the importance of regular eye exams, especially as individuals age, to prevent avoidable vision loss.
Bariga LCDA Chairman, Alabi Kolade, described the outreach as a timely intervention, noting that vision impairment significantly impacts the quality of life, employment prospects, and mental well-being of affected individuals. “Sight is life, and we cannot thank NNPC-SNEPCo and their partners enough for bringing this opportunity right to our doorstep,” Kolade said.
A breakdown of the outreach’s impact revealed that 1,787 people were screened for various eye conditions, 1,696 received prescription glasses and medication, 233 underwent successful cataract and pterygium surgeries, and 1,212 were treated for other ailments.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olusegun Ogboye, represented by Deputy Director Adeniran Ifeyemi, commended NNPC, SNEPCo, and their partners for their continued commitment to improving healthcare services in Lagos State.
