… Partner FRSC, NURTW
Members of the Nigerian Optometric Association, (NOA), Imo State Chapter, yesterday, October 8, flagged off the 2025 ‘World Sight Week’ offering free eye screenings and classes for drivers, commuters and other residents of the state. The activities were in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Imo State Sector Command and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Imo State Chapter.
During a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State NOA Chairman, Dr. Patrick Iwuchukwu, represented by the Vice-Chairman, Dr. Mrs. Joyce Iroakazi, described vision as God’s special gift, critical to actualizing human’s social, cultural, religious and economic undertakings. She disclosed that the annual event provides an opportunity to sensitize and improve eye health of the people.
Besides this year’s global theme: “Love Your Eyes,” Iroakazi, noted that the association’s focus on “Road Safety Through Vision Care for Drivers” underscored the importance of contributing towards the prevention of incessant road accidents in the state. She reflected on the connection between sight and road safety, and hailed Imo State NOA’s partnership with FRSC and NURTW.
“Road accidents remain a major public health challenge, and impaired vision among drivers contributes significantly to crashes, injuries, and loss of lives. By ensuring that drivers and commuters have access to proper vision screening, we are not only protecting sight but also safeguarding lives,” Dr. Iroakazi, stated in her address, adding that the opportunity was not only for drivers, but for all residents of Imo state.
Her statement further read: “This initiative is one of the major programs under our administration’s umbrella project, “Anya Ndi Imo Di Nma.” It is a homegrown program that is also in line with the 3R (Recovery, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation) Agenda of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma.”
She hailed the state government’s health policies, particularly the Imo Health Insurance Scheme, and urged stakeholders to invest in eye health, to ensure public safety, productivity
and citizens general wellbeing.
She outlined their programmes for the week to include; free eyes screenings and provision of classes to drivers and others on Friday, October 10, at Ihiagwa Park for (Owerri Zone); Saturday, October 11, at Anara Park, Isiala Mbano LGA for (Okigwe Zone) and Divine Branch, Banana Junction, Orlu LGA for (Orlu Zone). She also said that NOA members accross the state would offer the same free services within the period, urging the people to seize the opportunity.
In his contribution, the representative of the Imo State Chapter of NURTW, Comrd. Paddy Obinna, flanked by the Head, Media, Comrd. Kelechi Anyanwuocha, commended optometrists for the initiative and partnership with the union. He blamed ignorance on some of the vision problems in the society, while promising to mobilize members for the screening exercise.
Meanwhile, other NOA members provided more insights into issues relating to eye health challenges and care. They identified shortsightedness, glaucoma, cataract, retina issues and refractive errors as some of the common vision challenges facing members of the society, attributing causes and risk factors to include diabetes and hypertension among others.
They argued that better vision starts with love and care for one’s sight, explaining that the eye as a critical and dynamic part of the body required constant examinations and continous care to address avoidable causes of blindness. The speakers also charged Imo State residents and beyond to resist the temptations of patronizing quacks towards safeguarding their sight, urging them to always insist on qualified and certified eye care providers.
The speakers included, Chief Dr. Sharon Ohaka, Dr. Mrs. Munachi Abiazie (Secretary, Imo NOA), DR. Mrs. Jacqueline Obioma-Elemba (Chairman, Public Health Committee, Imo NOA) and Dr. Mrs. Chinonye Ibe (Chairman, Event and Planning Committee).
The event also had in attendance, the Imo State FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Emea Udensi Orji, represented by CRC Agu O. Agu.
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