How NNPCL Saved 69-Year-Old Man From Blindness With Free Cataract Programme
Adekunle Babatunde is a native of Ogun State who almost lost his sight due to a cataract disease that he has suffered for over three years.
Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in Nigeria, especially in people above 40.
In 2018, the Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey (NNBVIS) estimated that 7.2 per cent of Nigerians over 40 years had cataracts.
Babatunde is one of the 7.2 per cent of Nigerians above 40 with cataracts.
“I noticed this disease about three years ago and I had gone for several checkups before I heard about the NNPC Foundation free cataract surgery,” Babatunde said in a video shared by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
Before the surgery, Babatunde could not afford the treatment for the illness but he took advantage of the NNPC Foundation free surgery.
The 69-year-old said he jumped on the opportunity when he heard that the NNPC free cataract surgery had begun in Ogun State.
Nine-year-old Abdulsalam Munirat was also a victim of cataracts until she heard of the NNPC-funded cataract programme.
Munirat has regained full sight after undergoing the surgery.
Another patient who was a victim of cataract shared how the disease was affecting her gradually and she was also scared of undergoing surgery.
“I was unable to go to any hospital,” she said, adding that she has regained her sight after undergoing surgery.
These are a few cases of the over 1,000 surgeries conducted by the state-owned company in Ogun State alone.
“NNPC is turning vision into reality! Through our 1,000 free cataract extraction surgeries in Ogun and Lagos States, we are helping Nigerians regain their sight and improve their quality of life.
“Our mission goes beyond energy—we are dedicated to addressing critical health challenges and supporting national well-being,” NNPC said on Tuesday.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, CCCO, Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Ltd, Femi Soneye said the company is making real impact with 1,000 free cataract extraction surgeries.
He added, “We are giving Nigerians the gift of sight and a better quality of life. Our commitment goes beyond oil and gas—we are invested in solving pressing health issues and fostering national well-being.”
How NNPCL Saved 69-Year-Old Man From Blindness With Free Cataract Programme is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
