Seplat, NNPC target 6,000 A’Ibom residents for free eye care

Nigeria’s leading energy company, Seplat Energy, in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, has launched its flagship healthcare initiative, “Eye Can See programme,” targeting about 6,000 residents across Uyo, Eket and Ibeno local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.

The week-long free medical exercise, which marks the first edition of the initiative in the state, was kicked off on Tuesday in Uyo, the state capital.

It was gathered that the free eye care outreach provided eye screening, treatment, reading glasses and sight-restoring surgeries for eligible patients.

Speaking at the flag-off, Chairman of Seplat Energy Plc, Sen. Udoma Udo, said the programme was in fulfilment of a promise made to the state government after Seplat acquired Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited assets.

He said, “After the acquisition of the MPNU assets in Akwa Ibom, I led our delegation to visit the governor and explained that Seplat Energy believes in contributing proactively to the development of the communities where we operate.

“I specifically mentioned the ‘Eye Can See’ programme and promised that we would extend it to Akwa Ibom. We are here today to fulfil that promise,” Udoma said.

He emphasised the company’s dedication to holistic people and community development, adding that good vision supports learning, work, independence and dignity.

Udoma said the initiative was a testament to the company’s deep-seated commitment to the well-being of the host communities, stressing that through this programme, NNPC Limited and Seplat Energy are not only addressing urgent medical needs, but also educating communities on managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which can lead to vision loss.

“Good vision supports learning, work, independence and dignity. Professional eye care not only addresses immediate health needs, but it also helps people regain opportunities that may have been lost,” he added.

Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Effiong Okon, said the medical outreach started in 2012 in Edo, Delta and Imo states to prevent avoidable blindness by taking screening, treatment and surgery closer to the people.

Okon disclosed that in 14 years, the programme has screened 130,771 patients, distributed 67,491 pairs of glasses free and performed 5,350 surgeries.

He added that in 2025, about 13,726 beneficiaries were reached, adding that they shared 7,074 glasses and completed 471 surgeries.

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“The programme has over 14 years, screened 130,771 patients, distributed 67,491 pairs of glasses free of charge and performed 5,350 sight-restoring surgeries.

“In 2025 alone, it reached 13,726 beneficiaries, distributed 7,074 pairs of glasses and completed 471 surgeries.

“These results show a programme that remains active, relevant and capable of reaching people at scale,” he said.

Okon added that the initiative has grown from outreach to permanent capacity, citing the Sapele Eye Centre in Delta built by the joint ventures and the Sight First programme in Imo State.

“This initiative has grown beyond periodic outreach into lasting local capacity. In Edo State, the 2025 edition was hosted at the palace of the Oba of Benin, reflecting the value of working through trusted institutions, while in Delta State, the Joint Venture built the Sapele Eye Centre, which has two surgery rooms, four examination rooms, two wards, a laboratory and solar power, and now supports eye care and surgery throughout the year,” Okon stated.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, represented by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, described the intervention as timely and significant, noting that cataract accounts for about 43 per cent of blindness in Nigeria.

The governor said many families have had their productivity limited by visual impairment and commended the joint venture of Seplat Energy and NNPC for helping beneficiaries regain sight.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rose Edenteghe, a teacher, said deteriorating eyesight had affected her ability to read and teach. She recounted how she had paid for surgery on one eye but could not afford the second until the intervention.

“They did not just give us surgery; they gave us back our sight and our joy. Thank you for giving us our dignity back,” she said.

Another beneficiary, James Etuk, who received free eye screening and treatment, expressed gratitude to the company, describing “the exercise as life-changing.”

He said, “This programme is life-changing. What would have cost us a fortune is being provided for free. I pray that God continues to bless Seplat and NNPC for this kindness.”