Eye care initiative reaches thousands of Edo residents through NEPL/Seplat Energy JV

Thousands of residents in Edo State have benefitted from the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) heathcare outreach, tagged: “Eye Can See” initiative.

The NEPL/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) partnered with the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH) for the 2026 special edition of “Eye Can See” programme, its signature healthcentric Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative.

BusinessDay reports that the three-day event which took place at the premises of ESH, Benin City, witnessing a massive turnout of thousands of residents.

The residents underwent eye screenings, eye surgeries, hundreds of eye glasses, eye drops and drugs were given out free of charge to them.

The free eye care services also featured basic health checks and dental care, with the NEPL/Seplat Energy JV providing consumables and the ESH backing with personnel and infrastructure.

Speaking at the event, Chioma Afe, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, said the initiative was geared towards improving access to eye care services and promoting better vision health for communities across Edo and Delta States.

Afe said, the Seplat Energy’s unwavering commitment to the ‘Eye Can See’ programme had continued to make a meaningful impact across Edo and Delta States.

She added that the initiative demonstrated the company’s dedication to improving access to quality eye care services, restoring sight, and enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and communities through sustainable healthcare interventions.

While noting that the dividends of the health intervention programme cannot be overemphasized, she posited that identifying the programme’s achievements, community outreach efforts, Seplat Energy’s continued commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes and supporting sustainable development in the region.

In her remarks, Anthonia Inibokun-Njoku, Chief Medical Director of ESH, lauded the partnership between the JV and the hospital.

Inibokun-Njoku described the partnership as a significant collaboration that is expanding access to quality healthcare and bringing life-changing medical services closer to communities in Edo State.

According to her, the partnership marks a new chapter in the delivery of the long-running ‘Eye Can See’ initiative, as it brought together the resources of the NEPL/Seplat Energy JV and the specialist expertise of the hospital to provide comprehensive medicare to hundreds of beneficiaries.

She expressed gratitude to the NEPL/Seplat JV for partnering with the ESH, noting that the collaboration would play a vital role in addressing healthcare gaps and improving health outcomes across communities.

“This year’s programme is unique because it is being hosted in collaboration with Edo Specialist Hospital. The ‘Eye Can See’ initiative has been implemented in Edo for several years, but this is the first time we are partnering in this way, and we are delighted to be part of it.

“The collaboration goes beyond eye care, with beneficiaries receiving access to a broad range of medical and surgical services.

“We appreciate Seplat Energy JV for choosing to work with Edo Specialist Hospital and for remaining committed to initiatives that improve people’s lives.

“Collaborations like this strengthen healthcare delivery and enable more people to benefit from quality medical services. We hope to see this partnership continue to grow and impact even more lives”, she said.

Also speaking, Andrew Iyamu, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo commended the JV for what he described as an excellent initiative that supports the state government’s efforts to make quality health services available to all.

Iyamu, who represented the State Governor and was also a beneficiary of the programme, applauded the Seplat JV for bringing the initiative to Edo State.

“I have been through the process and it is quite commendable. I can attest as a beneficiary that this initiative has helped in taking healthcare closer to the people and at no cost to the members of the public.

“The ongoing outreach is providing free eye screening, consultations, medical treatment, surgeries and other healthcare services, reinforcing the value of strategic partnerships in expanding access to quality healthcare and improving the wellbeing of communities across Edo State”, he added.

Some of the beneficiaries which
Victoria Okoduwa, Stanley Eromonsele, Lovet Okhueliegbe, and John Kassia expressed gratitude for the opportunity to access free healthcare and the restoration of their ailing sights.

The beneficiaries described the professional care the medical personnel attended to them as laudable, noting that through the “Eye Can See” initiative they are able to know the health status of their eyes.