By Nefishetu Yakubu

In the past thirteen years, no fewer than 110,634 patients have regained their sight through surgeries sponsored by the Seplat Energy/NEPL Joint Venture, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN further reports that within the period under review, the company successfully completed 4,752 cataract surgeries across host communities in Edo under its “Eye Can See” programme.

According to Seplat Energy’s Director of External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe, patients also received about 55,382 reading glasses, achieving significant milestones in community healthcare and vision restoration across multiple communities.

Afe, represented by Esther Icha, emphasised that the initiative, now in its 13th year, continued delivering free, life-changing eye care services to the company’s host community members.

Speaking at the three-day programme, which concluded on Friday at the Oba’s Palace in Benin, she assured host communities of the company’s continued commitment to delivering free, life-changing eye care services to them.

She outlined the services provided to include eye consultations, reading glasses, cataract surgeries, and education on glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes, benefiting thousands within the JV’s host communities.

Afe noted that the programme’s sustainability was anchored on the strong cooperation and shared commitment of all Seplat Energy Joint Venture partners over the years.

She confirmed that the services were free, adding that doctors were also available to attend to non-ocular health issues like hypertension and diabetes.

Edo Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, represented by Dr Edward Aisowieren, commended Seplat JV’s tangible contributions and noted the initiative’s life-changing impact on the state’s health sector.

He stated that most causes of permanent blindness were treatable, praising the programme for tackling avoidable blindness effectively within rural communities.

He expressed gratitude, saying all those operated on could now see clearly, describing the outcome as a major success for the organisers’ initiatives.

He also acknowledged the long-term efforts, stating that hundreds had previously benefited from Seplat Energy’s ongoing free eye care outreach across multiple communities.

Chief Raphael Oronsaye, speaking for the Oba of Benin, applauded the Seplat JV and encouraged citizens to support and utilise meaningful corporate social responsibility projects.

The NEPL team, led by Owunari Tomikeimieye, praised community participation.

He emphasised the need for them to be partners in the preservation of oil and gas assets to ensure continuous support for such initiatives.

Tomikeimieye encouraged parents to involve youth in protecting energy infrastructure, ensuring sustainable benefits through health and development programmes like Eye Can See.

Dennis Laure, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Seplat JV for resolving long-standing eye issues that affected their daily lives, incomes, and overall quality of life. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

By Justina Auta

Women reproductive health rights activist, Dr Ejike Oji, on Friday inaugurated Local Organising Committee (LOC), for a five million Women Database (Womendb), to tackle women health-related challenges.

Oji, President/CEO Dr Ejike Oji Community Development Foundation and Convener, Womendb, said the initiative was aimed at empowering women and promoting their contributions across various fields.

He said that the initiative sought to build the capacity of women, provide a one-stop shop for accessing reproductive health and right information and services.

The former Nigeria Country Director of an international non-profit organisation, Ipas, noted that lack of organised and coherent data on women and women groups make it difficult to tackle challenges confronting women.

According to him, the novel initiative, which is IT driven, is under Dr Ejike Oji Community Development Foundation.

He explained that the foundation would collate data from women across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The database would help in harnessing collective voices for advocacy; facilitating extensive information transmission and limited success in implementing women focused programme,” he said.

He said that already the foundation had commenced developing the database, with the FCT topping the list.

Oji, who said that the foundation would adopt ‘hub and spoke approach’, added that both women in urban centres and rural areas would benefit.

“Womendb is a rapidly growing women group, focused on using the numerical strength of women all over the world to provide opportunities for its members.

“The mission is to enrol five million women into the database, and then we shall be going to 11 African countries, where we already have partners.

“The Womendb, to be officially launched on July 11, to mark my 70th birthday, is expected to provide valuable insights, foster collaboration and promote the accomplishments of women in communities and beyond,” he said.

He said joining the initiative will provide network access for key services and commodities, connection to development interventions and other potential benefits.

“It will facilitate access to grants, loans and micro-credit supports; facilitate large scale cooperative associations, advance access to health services, organised mechanism for measurable advantages for members.

“It will also provide a framework for easier dissemination of information to members; framework for easier administration of collection of dues; key data, disaggregation by age groups, interests, location and occupation,” he said.

Oji said that the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN); National Council for Women Societies (NCWS); International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); religious groups, among others are registered members of the Womendb.

He, therefore, urged more women to key into the initiative to enable them benefit from various programmes of the foundation.

Dr Kole Shettima, Political Scientists and Development Specialist Director, MacArthur Foundation Nigeria, in a goodwill message, said that the initiative would provide opportunities for women to access healthcare services and economic empowerment exercises.

Also, Dr Austin Onouha, Executive Director, Peace and South-East Project, said that the Womendb would address challenges of accessing data for references, innovation and implementing programmes targeting women.

On his part, Mr Joshua Adams of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), assured the foundation of media support in championing their goals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the LOC has Dr Oji as its chairman with more than seven sub-committees, while the formal launch comes up on July 31 in Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu