Photo Caption L-R: Dr. Mrs. Aziemeola Pius Egelege, Permanent Secretary Rives State Ministry of Health, Dame Mrs., Chinyeru Agbara, Vice Chairman, Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, HRH. Eze Sunny Weli-Chukwu, Paramount Ruler Nyewe Eli Elelenwo-Etor, Mr. Igo Weli, Director and Head Corporate Relations SPDC, Chief Barr. Mike Ejims, Chairman Elelenwo HCDT, Dr. Akinwumi Fajola, Health Manager, Community Health SPDC and Ven. Azubuike Ugoha, Anglican Church Elelenwo at the flag-off of comprehensive Health-in-Motion programme at Model Primary Healthcare Center Elelenwo in Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State… recently.
Thousands receive treatment as Shell powers NNPC Vision First health outreach in Lagos
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Thousands of people with different types of illnesses received medical treatment in Mushin area of Lagos when the medical team of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) took free care to the underserved sections of the ailing public.
According to Shell’s spokeswoman in Lagos, Mrs Gladys Afam-Anadu, the field trip by the company’s medical team would be the fourth edition of Vision First, the flagship health programme of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and SNEPC.
She said more than 40 eye surgeries were conducted with over 700 hundred people from Mushin and other parts of Lagos receiving different forms of health care on the first day of the medical outreach. The event allowed people to receive eye and cardiovascular screenings, surgeries, and general health education.
The five-day outreach, organized in collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, was formally declared open today (July 8) at a ceremony attended by officials from NNPC, SNEPCo, Lagos State Government, Mushin local council and leaders of communities.
Managing Director of SNEPCO, Ronald Adams, stated: “This year’s outreach is particularly special, as it is supported by the Bonga North Project as part of its social investment commitments.”
In a speech delivered at the event by Head of Corporate Relations, Mr Abubakar Ahmed, SNEPCo Managing Director, said: “Following the Final Investment Decision on Bonga North earlier this year, we are beginning to see the benefits materialize — starting with initiatives like this — that deliver direct and lasting value to communities.”
In his remarks delivered by Head, Business Services, Nkechi Anaedobe; the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the National Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Oluwaseyi Omotowa, said: “This initiative embodies our commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities where operate. The Vision First programme is a testament to our partnership’s dedication to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare services to our people.”
The Director, Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, Dr Olukorede Adenuga, and Chairman, Mushin Local Council Development Area, Emmanuel Bamigboye expressed happiness to collaborate with NNPC/Shell and co-venture partners, Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited, TotalEnergies Nigeria and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd, in bringing comprehensive healthcare to the doorsteps of the people.
Mrs Afam-Anadu stated that the Vision First programme has reached more than 4,000 individuals, distributed nearly 2,000 eye glasses while providing vision-restoring procedures to nearly 200 people, from cataract removals to other corrective surgeries. She also pointed at the company’s donation of cancer treatment equipment to some hospitals in the country.
She added that provision of healthcare is just one aspect of the social investments of NNPC/SNEPCo and co-venture partners which have improved lives in internally displaced camps in Northeast Nigeria, rebuilt hospital wards and educational institutions in Nigeria.
In addition, she said, Shell provides annual secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate scholarship awards.
