In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility, the NNPC Foundation has successfully conducted free cataract extraction surgeries on three minors born with blindness and over 700 other individuals in Ogun State.
The surgeries, performed at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, were part of the Foundation’s initiative to restore sight to 1,000 individuals in the South-West region. The programme, launched on December 16, 2024, aims to combat vision impairment caused by cataracts, affecting millions of Nigerians.
The three minors, including five-year-old Iremide Kasali, underwent successful surgeries that restored their sight and transformed their lives. Iremide’s mother, Adebisi Odunuga, expressed her gratitude to the NNPC Foundation, stating that she had previously been told to pay ₦22 million for her daughter’s surgery at another hospital.
The NNPC Foundation’s Managing Director, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, emphasised the importance of accessible healthcare, stating that “health is far more important than wealth.”
She noted that the Foundation’s initiative aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 10, which focus on improving health and well-being and reducing inequalities.
The Olowu of Owu, Oba (Professor) Saka Adetola Matemilola, and the Baale of Idi Aba, Chief Femi Folarin, praised the NNPC Foundation for its kindness and generosity. Deputy Director of Nursing Services, FMC Abeokuta, Adelola Mojisola Bankole, described the program as “wonderful and interesting,” noting that many patients had already returned for follow-up appointments, expressing their gratitude and enthusiasm.
“I thank the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the NNPC Foundation for bringing free cataract screening and extraction surgeries to Ogun State, especially Abeokuta. I thank the management of the FMC, Abeokuta, for its successful collaboration with the Foundation,” the Olowu of Owu said.
The NNPC Foundation’s consultant, Mrs. Okoroafor Amugo, emphasised that the programme is not limited to the southwest region but will be extended nationwide. She assured me that the Foundation would continue to monitor the patient’s progress and provide follow-up care and support.
Dr Okoroafor-Amugo said, “There is no cost to restoring human dignity and 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. Its initiatives focus on enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic development. The foundation 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.
