As part of social responsibilities, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation said it has embarked on free eye cataract surgeries and as well other eye related needs targeting 1, 000 Nigerians from the north-central zone.
Consequently, 200 Nigerlites, comprising mostly aged men and women have benefitted from the NNPC free eye care while 300 others according to her will benefit from the next batch coming up in Bida between 7th to 12th May, 2025.
The Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe disclosed this at the maiden edition of free eye services by the Foundation which took place at the Bosso PHC centre, in Minna Niger state on Friday.
Mrs. Arukwe who spoke through, Alhaji Adamu Sani, the Team Leader of the Foundation to Niger state, said the initiative is part of efforts to give back to the society by restoring vision to 6, 000 Nigerians with eye defects across the six geopolitical zones.
“We believe in building a society where no one is left behind, where no one should be left blind and this programme is a testament to part of the NNPC Foundation’s commitments”.
The free eye treatment which amongst others involves; free cataract screening, surgeries, and public education on how to maintain healthy sight, she said is aimed at giving hope to hopeless Nigerians battling with eye related issues.
She further explained that, eye cataract accounted for nearly 50 per cent cause of blindness in Nigeria, with many ignorantly suffering avoidable blindness due to lack of access to quality and affordable eye care.
In his remarks, Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur said the state had well over 5, 000 cataract patients, with 500 new cases emerging almost on a yearly basis.
The Commissioner nevertheless pleaded with the NNPC Foundation to support the state with essential equipment, such as microscopes, to help reduce the backlog and to manage the beneficiaries of the free eye care.
Also speaking, Dr. Halima Isah, Chairperson of the free Eye Care Programme in Niger, said 200 beneficiaries are from Minna while 300 are from Bida.
Our correspondent reports that some beneficiaries, including Fatima Sallah, Maryam Suleiman, and Aisha Musa commended NNPC Foundation for restoring their vision after years of hopelessness to regain their sight, describing the experience as life-changing.
