Shouts of joy erupted at the Opthalmology Department, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State, last Friday, when free cataract extractive surgeries were successfully conducted on three minors, two of whom were born blind while the third one was affected during her childhood.
The medical team, led by Professor Grace Feyisayo Adepoju, carried out the surgeries on the three minors as part of the NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte free cataract screening and extraction surgeries for 1000 patients in the South-West.
The three minors were apart from the over 700 other patients from Ogun State whose sights have been restored so far from blindness caused by cataract in the ongoing medical programme in the state.
Parents, staff of the department and well-wishers congratulated the parents of the minors whose surgeries were delayed for a week as extra care and patience was needed to observed them.
The three children could have continued to live miserable and unfulfilled lives as they would be living in darkness, having been born blind. However, they were given a new lease of life and fresh hope as their sights were successfully restored last Friday.
The successful surgical operations created immense joy for the parents of the minors and also brought great hope for some other parents whose children are having the same condition.
Dr. Peter Abikoye, Head, Opthalmology Department, FMC, Abeokuta, explained that Paediatric Opthalmology is a patient process which cannot be hurriedly done hurry.
Five-year-old Iremide Kasali, one of the minors that benefitted from the free cataract extraction surgeries, had the cataract disease during her childhood. Her mother, Adebisi Odunuga, an indigene of Abeokuta, but based in Sagamu, spoke before the surgery was conducted.
Adebisi Odunuga said she heard about the free cataract screening and extraction surgeries from a woman who works at FMC Abeokuta. She said she had taken Iremide to various hospitals for treatment, including the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, but could not be attended to due to financial constraints.
“We started noticing the problem with her two eyes since when she was very young. She would not have sound and deep sleep at night. But we did not take it serious because Iremide is a restless and playful child. She can see when she is closer to the objects but cannot see anything from a distance.
“She is going to school but she can barely see because her teachers do always complain. She can write but you have to be with her and also force her to read and write. If you leave her on her own, she will drop reading and start complaining of having pains in the eyes,” Adebisi Odunuga added.
The surgical operations were sequel to the 1000 free cataract screening and extraction surgeries launched by the NNPC Foundation in the South-West on 16 December, 2024.
An adult beneficiary, Omeye Christopher, who had his own successful cataract surgery at the FMC Abeokuta on Wednesday, 8 January, 2025, could not hide his joy.
He said: “I feel very excited. I had the surgery this morning and I am very okay. I thank God for the operation that the NNPC Foundation has done for me and several others. I was initially shivering when the wanted to do the operation, but I thank God that it was very successful.
“I got to know about the programme on the radio. I did not pay one kobo; the operation was free. I came here to the FMC Abeokuta; I got a card and they told me to drop my phone number which I did. They called me and I was here today.
“The problem started not too long ago. I noticed that I was not seeing with one of my two eyes. Whenever I close it, I will not see clearly. I have been buying drugs to take care of the defective eye but all to no avail. I cannot calculate what I spent on my health. But I thank God that the operation was successful. I thank NNPC Foundation. It shall continue to grow and prosper.”
Eminent Nigerians and mass of people gathered at the FMC Abeokuta premises to witness official flagging off of the 1,000 Free Cataract Screening and Extraction Surgeries Outreach in the South-West Zone.
The Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the initiative was not merely a step forward, but a significant stride in the commitment of the Foundation to improving lives and enhancing the health of the communities.
Mrs Arukwe, represented by Teniola Abu, Deputy Manager, Special Projects (NNPC Foundation), said the purpose was to combat the widespread issue of vision impairment caused by cataracts, a condition that has severely impacted many Nigerians.
“Over the past 20 months, NNPC Foundation has spearheaded numerous healthcare initiatives, including a pilot eye screening and glaucoma treatment programme for over 290 individuals in Abuja; free cancer screenings and counselling sessions for approximately 3,440 people across the six geopolitical zones; and a medical outreach in Garki Village, Abuja, addressing non-communicable diseases and providing medical consumables to about 450 individuals.
“Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of blindness globally. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 50 per cent of blindness cases in Nigeria are caused by cataracts.
“In underserved areas, such as many parts of the South-West, limited access to quality eye care exacerbates this challenge. This is more than a health issue—it is a social and economic crisis, as vision loss directly affects productivity, independence and overall quality of life.
“At NNPC Foundation, we understand that vision is not merely a sense—it is a fundamental enabler of human dignity and opportunity. This understanding is at the core of our initiative.
“Through this programme, we aim to provide free cataract screenings, surgeries and public education on eye health. We anticipate restoring sight to up to 1,000 individuals in the South-West.
“Beyond the numbers, this means transforming lives—helping breadwinners regain their livelihoods, empowering students to pursue their studies, and enabling individuals to experience the joys of life once again,” she said.
The NNPC Foundation Managing Director disclosed that the initiative was driven by two primary motivations: Its mission- creating sustainable, far-reaching initiatives as embodied in its commitment to building a society where no one is left behind.
She said the programme aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3- “good health and well-being”-and SDG 10 -“reduced inequalities, by addressing healthcare disparities in underserved communities.”
The second motivation, she said, was based on the Foundation’s focus areas -healthcare and community development. “By addressing preventable blindness, we not only transform individual lives but also strengthen families and local economies,” she added.
She thanked the NNPCL Management for its unwavering support and also recognise the Foundation’s collaborators and stakeholders for their dedication and partnership in making the programme a reality.
“NNPC Foundation will remain committed to promoting accessible, affordable, and sustainable healthcare across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Together, we can build a healthier, brighter future, one community at a time,” she added.
Among those present was the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Professor) Saka Adetola Matemilola who expressed his happiness at the wonderful work the NNPC Foundation team did to take people out of blindness and ensured that they regained their sights.
Oba Matemilola thanked the beneficiaries for coming out for the free cataract screening and extraction surgeries. He noted that if they had not turned up, the laudable project by the Foundation would have amounted to a failure, its value or worth notwithstanding.
The traditional ruler told a story of three people who wanted to be rich by all means. According to him, the three were offered the sum of ₦50 billion, but with a condition that they would lose their sights. He stated that the three vehemently turned down the offer as they preferred to be poor but with functional eyesight.
“While having money is good and essential, I appreciate the fact that health is far more important than wealth. Our health is of great essence in the course of our existence. Having a good sight is of greater importance because whoever that cannot see can only be living a miserable life in darkness.
“I equally want to express my appreciation to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the NNPC Foundation for bringing the free cataract screening and extraction surgeries to Ogun State and particularly to Abeokuta. I thank the Management of the FMC, Abeokuta for its successful collaboration with the Foundation,” the Olowu of Owu said.
Also speaking, Baale of Idi Aba, Chief Femi Folarin, thanked NNPCL for the kind gesture. He described the eye as the most essential part of the body and urged the NNPC Foundation and the FMC Abeokuta to continue to extend their hands of love to humanity.
Deputy Director, Nursing Services, FMC Abeokuta, Adelola Mojisola Bankole, spoke with Newscoven.com on the free medical service rendered by the NNPC Foundation, describing it as very wonderful and interesting.
“For the past few weeks, since 16 December, 2024, we have been screening patients for the purpose of the NNPC Foundation programme. We have done beautifully well. People turned out in their numbers to be screened.
“The results have been wonderful. We started the surgery on Monday, 6 January, 2025. As at 8 January, the turn out was very wonderful. Many of the patients we operated upon having been coming back to tell us that they are doing beautifully well. They are so happy; they are so glad that they had the opportunity and they expressed great enthusiasm that they are going to be fine,” she said.
Consultant to NNPC Foundation, Dr Anne Okoroafor-Amugo, was also on ground throughout the duration of the free cataract screening and extraction surgeries.
She spoke on the essence of the programme: “NNPC Foundation is doing something truly impactful for communities in Nigeria’s South-West region –they are offering 1,000 free cataract extraction surgeries to help those who may be struggling with vision loss.
“Cataracts, if not treated, can lead to blindness, but the good news is that this can be prevented with a simple surgery. So, if you or someone you know is experiencing blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, or has a noticeable film over the eyes, this could be a great opportunity.
“The NNPC Foundation is undertaking this initiative as a responsible corporate citizen, aiming to positively impact the lives of indigent Nigerians.
“While the primary focus is on supporting indigent individuals, some non-indigent persons are also benefiting from the programme.
“The NNPC Foundation is proud to be restoring vision to those in need, enabling them to regain their productivity and independence.
“Notably, we have identified three children born with blindness and their sight has been successfully restored. One of these children was previously referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) but was unable to receive treatment due to financial constraints. The restoration of their sight brings immense joy to their families.
“We have other health challenges that we are going to attend to but NNPC Foundation is going step-by-step.
“Cataract is the commonest cause of blindness. Not that we cannot do others but we cannot handle everything at a time but definitely we will get to glaucoma. This programme is not just South-West; it is going to go nationwide,” she said.
The Consultant also disclosed to Newscoven.com that the Foundation will not abandon the patients, assuring that there will be follow up on the beneficiaries.
“First of all, after the surgery, the next day you do a follow up. That is why we did the surgeries in a proper hospital like the FMC Abeokuta so that the patients can always come back and be attended to, if a need arises.
“We don’t expect much complications, but we expect that they will come back, if there is any problem. If everything is calm-more often than not, they will be fine- but they can come back for a review any time,” she said.
Dr Okoroafor-Amugo also said: “There is no cost to restoring human dignity and human life. The cost lies in the fact Nigerians are doing well for Nigerians and Nigeria.”
NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the NNPCL with its initiatives focused on enhancing the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
It has targeted interventions in education, health, environment, access to energy and youth empowerment to foster economic empowerment, promote entrepreneurship and support sustainable development across the country.
