Cornel Bassey, Uyo
Those were the words of Alfred Elvis, one of the beneficiaries of the ongoing Seplat Energy Plc and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Joint Venture’s “Eye Can See” programme in Akwa Ibom State, after a cataract surgery restored sight to his left eye.
Elvis, who said the progressive loss of vision had affected his confidence and ability to perform routine activities, described the successful surgery as “a miracle” and “God’s gift,” expressing gratitude to Seplat Energy and NNPC for making the procedure available to him at no cost.
According to him, his ordeal began in July last year when he noticed blurred vision in his left eye. After undergoing tests at different health facilities, he was diagnosed with cataract, which progressively deteriorated until he could barely see with the affected eye.
He said the condition became particularly challenging when crossing roads at night or interacting with people, explaining that he could sometimes fail to notice someone approaching from his left side. The inability to afford the cost of surgery compounded his difficulty after he was informed that his health insurance plan did not cover the procedure.
Elvis said his breakthrough came when a friend sent him information about the Seplat programme through WhatsApp. “When I saw cataract surgery free, I said, ‘Well, this was it.’ I think this is where my redemption was going to come,” he recalled.
He said he arrived early at the programme venue, underwent the necessary examinations and was eventually cleared for surgery after the medical team confirmed that the cataract was ripe for removal.
According to him, the operation lasted less than 25 minutes and was conducted without significant pain, while the removal of the eye dressing the following morning brought an immediate and remarkable improvement in his vision.
“I could see clearly. Even if it’s going to be a gradual process, the difference is very wide from how it was before. At least I could see very well, I could see my phone, I could see people like that, and I’m very happy,” Elvis said.
He added that the prolonged sight impairment had taken a toll on his self-esteem and dignity because of how people reacted to him, stressing that the restored vision had given him renewed confidence.
“My dignity is back, my self-esteem is back,” he declared.
The experience of Elvis is among the early outcomes of the “Eye Can See” programme, which has provided free eye screening, treatment, reading glasses and cataract surgeries to thousands of residents since medical interventions commenced in the state on Tuesday.
The programme was formally flagged off in Uyo on Wednesday and is expected to move from Uyo to Eket and subsequently Ibeno, with eligible beneficiaries assured of receiving the required treatment without financial barriers.
Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, Engr. Effiong Okon, said the programme was designed to ensure that residents experiencing eye-related challenges could access appropriate medical attention irrespective of their financial circumstances.
“There are no fees. There are no conditions. Nobody will be turned away,” Okon said, urging residents experiencing sight difficulties and their families to take advantage of the intervention.
He added that beneficiaries would also be screened for other health conditions that might otherwise remain undetected.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Umo Eno, Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi commended Seplat Energy and NNPC for the intervention, describing it as a timely response to avoidable blindness and a practical contribution to improving the health and well-being of Akwa Ibom residents.
Eyakenyi cited the Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey as attributing about 43 per cent of blindness cases in Nigeria to cataracts, noting that many cases could be prevented or treated when patients receive timely medical attention.
She said healthcare remained a priority under the administration’s ARISE Agenda, pointing to investments in model primary healthcare centres, subsidised health insurance and the development of the ARISE Medical Corridor, which includes the Ibom International Hospital and Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital.
Chairman of Seplat Energy, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the decision to extend the “Eye Can See” programme to Akwa Ibom followed the company’s acquisition of the MPNU assets and its commitment to contributing to the development of communities where it operates.
Udo Udoma said Seplat’s relationship with its host communities was anchored on “respect, transparency, and consistent performance,” stressing that social investment remained an essential component of responsible business.
He said Seplat had previously implemented the programme in communities across Edo, Delta and Imo states and was extending it to Akwa Ibom as part of its broader commitment to improving lives through investments in health, education, livelihoods and local capacity development.
