The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has sponsored a free eye care programme for officers and men of the command as part of efforts to improve personnel welfare and strengthen operational efficiency.
According to a press release issued on August 4, 2026, by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, the health outreach, held at the Command in Idiroko, provided comprehensive ophthalmic services aimed at promoting eye health and detecting visual impairments among officers.
Medical professionals from VisionSpring’s See to Be Safe (S2S) project conducted visual acuity screenings to assess participants’ vision, carried out funduscopy examinations to evaluate the retina and optic nerve, and distributed prescription glasses free of charge to officers requiring corrective lenses.
Speaking at the opening of the exercise, Afeni stressed that good vision is essential to effective border security operations, tactical enforcement and administrative responsibilities.
He noted that Customs officers undertake demanding tasks, including border surveillance, physical inspections and documentation, making regular eye examinations an important preventive measure to safeguard their health and sustain operational effectiveness.
Afeni explained that clear vision enhances officers’ reaction time, improves night-time vigilance and increases accuracy during border patrols and security checks, while routine eye screening helps prevent chronic eye strain caused by prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
He urged officers to prioritise regular eye examinations, noting that good vision is critical not only to professional performance but also to personal safety, family life and long term well-being. He added that taking proactive measures would help officers remain prepared to effectively discharge their responsibilities and encouraged them to protect their eyesight.
The Team Lead and Consultant for the VisionSpring See to Be Safe (S2S) project, Dr. Obioma Uchandu, said the initiative focuses on preventive eye care for Customs officers, particularly those serving in border communities such as Idiroko.
She explained that the project aims to eliminate preventable blindness among frontline officers responsible for safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.
Beneficiaries of the programme commended the initiative, describing it as a morale booster that would enhance their health, welfare and readiness for duty.
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