NNPCL, SNEPCo provide visual aids to over 4,000 people in Lagos

L-R: Shell’s Regional Community Health Manager, Dr Akin Fajola; Lagos State Deputy Director for Health, Dr  Adeniran Ifeyemi; Managing Counsel, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mrs Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede; SNEPCo’s Managing Director, Mrs Elohor Aiboni; Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr. Muibi Folawiyo; Manager Stakeholder Relations, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Ms Julie Utang; NUIMS Deputy Manager, External Relations, Mrs. Bunmi Lawson; and Shell’s Social Performance and Social Investment, Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Anyim at the opening session of NNPC/SNEPCo “Vision First Initiative”, a free medical eye care outreach for Lagos Island community at the Sura Primary Health Care Centre, Lagos recently.

 

By Favour & Akinola Ajibade

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company ( NNPC ) Limited and Shell Nigeria and Exploration Petroleum Company ( SNEPCOs) have provided free visual aids to more than 4,000 people in Lagos Island.

Tagged: Vision First Initiative of the Shell Nigeria and Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) and its Partner,  Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the  weeklong programme offered free screening, glasses, surgeries, and prescriptions to people in its second edition of the programme. The first edition was in 2022. 

Speaking on the programme, the Chief Executive officer, Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, described the initiative as a critical one, which must be made accessible, affordable and of great priority by Nigerians. 

He said: “Clear vision should be a fundamental right for all, and not a luxury. That is why the NNPC and SNEPCo launched the Vision First Initiative in order to assist in preventing visual problems in the country. 

Wunti, who was represented by NUIMS Manager, Stakeholder Relations, Ms. Julie Utang, said, 

“We will continue to champion the implementation of sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility projects and programmes that positively impact the lives of Nigerians.”

Similarly, the SNEPCo's Managing Director, Mrs Elohor Aiboni, said the idea would continue to focus on visual aids, surgical treatments, and prevention of visual impairment and childhood blindness. 

Aiboni who spoke through her representative and SNEPCo’s Managing Counsel, Mrs Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, said, “Vision acuity and clear eyesight play an important role in the quality of life of an individual, and this initiative therefore seeks to eliminate preventable and treatable blindness while also providing risk communication on poor health-seeking behaviours.”

Giving a breakdown of the programme performance, the SNEPCo boss said, “Around 2,000 people were screened; 1,199 prescription glasses dispensed; 1,310 beneficiaries received medication; while 189 people had successful procedures.”

Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, represented by the Deputy Director, Dr Adeniran Ifeyemi, thanked NNPC, SNEPCo and their co-venture partners for the initiative. She said, “Health is one of the integral components of the ‘T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda’ of the state government and the health component of the agenda is anchored on the premise of the Lagos State Health Scheme designed to ensure that every resident has quality, equitable and affordable healthcare.”

Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr. Muibi Folawiyo, commended the “Vision First Initiative” for the people of his local council and invited other organisations to emulate SNEPCo and its partners.