The 2025 edition of the NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture flagship healthcare initiative, “Eye Can See,” peaked with a grand ceremony held on Thursday at the Oba of Benin’s Palace, Benin City, Edo State.
In her opening remarks, the Director of External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, represented by the Senior Manager, Corporate Social Investment and Social Performance, Esther Icha, stated that the continued cooperation of the Joint Venture partners has sustained the initiative.
She pointed out, “Every part of this programme is free of charge and for those who have come here with other health challenges aside from eye problems, including hypertension or diabetes, we have doctors here to attend to them”.
The Commissioner for Health, Edo State, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, represented by Dr. Edward Aisowieren, Director of Medical Services, commended the Seplat JV and acknowledged the initiative’s concrete impact. He observed that, in keeping with its name, the “Eye Can See” initiative is, indeed, positively transforming lives. He pointed out that more than half of the ailments that lead to permanent loss of sight are treatable and thanked Seplat Energy and its partners for coming to the rescue.
“I want to thank the organisers of this programme. All those who were operated on, under this initiative, can see with their eyes, which is a plus for the organisers. I understand that this has been happening over the years while hundreds of our people have received free eye care from Seplat Energy,” he said.
The Obakhavbaye of Benin, Chief Ralphael Oronsaye, who represented the Oba of Benin, commended the Seplat Energy JV and urged the people always appreciatively to take advantage of good initiatives by worthy corporate citizens.
Representatives of the NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL), led by Owunari Tomikeimieye, were also present. He commended the people for turning out en masse for the initiative and urged the parents to encourage their children and wards to help preserve oil and gas assets in their domain.
He pointed out that it is from such resources that the Seplat JV could continue delivering such life-changing initiatives to the host communities.
Dennis Laure, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Seplat JV for helping them overcome eye-health challenges that had negatively impacted their lifestyles and livelihoods for many years.
Now in its 13th year, the three-day programme continues to deliver free eye care services, including consultations, reading glasses, cataract surgeries, and health education on conditions such as glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes, to thousands of beneficiaries in the JV’s host communities. As of press time, up to 1,292 people had been screened, and 53 surgeries had been successfully carried out in Benin City.
