Emmanuel Addehin, Abuja

In a recent initiative aimed at enhancing community well-being, the NNPC Ltd/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) hosted a medical outreach that provided free eye health services for individuals facing visual impairments in the Ohaji/Egbema community of Imo State.

Under the “Eye Can See” program, a key component of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, the partnership has distributed over 10,000 pairs of reading glasses and performed 639 eye surgeries—including cataract removals—ensuring that local residents, who often struggle to access such critical medical care, received much-needed assistance.

Launched in 2017, the “Eye Can See” initiative has positively impacted more than 20,000 individuals in the region, as stated by NNPC officials. During the event, Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC’s Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), represented by Dr. Obinna Otuu, the Manager of JV Asset B, highlighted the program’s importance in fulfilling NNPC’s mission to enrich the lives of Nigerians.

“NNPC Ltd takes pride in being more than just an energy provider,” Wunti emphasized, adding, “We are committed partners in progress, focused on making sustainable contributions to the communities that support us.”

He further explained that the “Eye Can See” program embodies the belief that corporate entities can and should play a pivotal role in societal development. Wunti pointed out that the initiative not only provides immediate medical assistance but also educates community members on lifestyle choices that help prevent conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Expressing gratitude to the local government, beneficiaries, and NNPC Ltd’s collaborators, Wunti remarked that, in partnership with Seplat, the National Oil Company is laying the groundwork for a brighter future, where essential health services are accessible to everyone.