NNPC/Seplat JV executes ‘Eye Can See’ CSI programme in Imo

…Offers 23,447 free eye screenings, 797 surgeries, 13,525 eye glasses to date

NNPC/Seplat Joint Venture (JV) has screened a total of 23,447 optical cases, conducted 797 surgeries and given out over 13,525 eye glasses to date, to the beneficiaries, under its ‘Eye Can See’, Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme.

Chioma Afe, director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, disclosed this on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the ‘Eye Can See’ CSI programme 2026 edition in Owerri, Imo State capital.

Represented by Esther Icha, the general manager, Corporate Social Investment & Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, explained that the initiative was designed to impact the health and wellbeing of host communities by providing free access to essential eye care services, including screenings, reading glasses and cataract surgeries.

This is as the beneficiaries were also screened for other health challenges like high blood pressure and diabetes, amongst others, and provided with professional counselling, drugs and referrals for patients as needed.

The three-day outreach, held from March 24 to March 26, 2026 in Owerri, attracted a large turnout of men, women, and children from across the state and neighbouring communities with an average of 700 people being screened per day.

She stated that cost of eye care, which is currently out of reach for many, makes it very imperative for the NNPC/Seplat JV to sustain the programme and drive penetration; thus, impacting a wide array of persons in the communities from the inception of the intervention health programme in 2017.

Afe further said that the initiative aligns with the “United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on Good Health and Well-Being,” and underscores the Joint Venture’s broader commitment to delivering sustainable, high-impact social investments. “For us as a company, we are very happy to do this because of the positive impacts on the stakeholders at the community level,” she said.

In his remarks, Olarewaju Iganda, acting chief upstream investment officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), lauded Seplat Energy for driving the initiative which has seen the JV partners restored not just vision but hope to many members of host communities.

Igandan, represented by Bunmi Lawson, deputy manager, External Relations, NUIMS, said that the: “NNPC Limited is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people who host our businesses and operations. These efforts have changed many lives, giving people the opportunity to see clearly and enjoy life again.

“We recognise that there are still many challenges and there is more work to be done. The goal is not just eye care but to support welfare and more prosperous communities.”

Meanwhile, some of the beneficiaries who spoke had expressed delight at the opportunity and thanked the JV partners for bailing them out of critical health challenges.

Fred Nnamdi, Igolo Njemanze, and Ernest Onyeneke, three of whom benefited from eye surgeries, amongst others, commended the Joint Venture for giving them a pleasant experience with a wonderful life-changing initiative free.

They commended the team of medical personnel for excellent service delivery, which has restored their sight and given them a good chance of better life in the days ahead.

“It was a wonderful experience. I never expected this. It went beyond my imagination, highly successful. I trust God that my sight will be wonderful. God will bless them,” Nnamdi said.

Also, Igolo Njemanze expressed gratitude to the JV partners, saying, “for the past two years I have not been using my right eye to see, but yesterday, I underwent surgery and everything went fine. I thank the JV partners and I pray that God will continue to bless them.”

On his part, Onyeneke, a community leader, recounted his experience as very pleasant, commending the medical team, saying, “the doctors were wonderful. I am so happy with the medical team, to the organisers, they have tried, they are watching out for the poor masses, the young and the old.”