Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Nigeria Optometrists Association (NOA) has sought the support of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for legislative backing on the decentralisation of the National Vision Centre (NVC).
The National President of the association, Dr. Chimezirim Anderson, made the appeal when he led a delegation of the NOA leadership on a courtesy visit to the Governor during the association’s national conference held in Umuahia.
Dr. Anderson urged the Governor to lend his influence toward the successful passage of a bill currently before the National Assembly seeking to decentralise the operations of the NVC.
He informed the Governor that the association had already established vision centres across Abia State, which, according to him, currently boasts the highest number of eyecare centres in the country.
The NOA president also requested a parcel of land from the state government for the construction of a regional office in Abia.
He commended Governor Otti for the transformational strides of his administration, and for appointing professionals in the health sector—particularly members of the association—into key positions. These include Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, Commissioner for Women Affairs, and Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, Administrator of the Abia State Eyecare Management Bureau.
In his response, Governor Otti promised to follow up on the bill at the National Assembly, pledging his government’s full support for initiatives aimed at improving public health.
He applauded the association for selecting Abia as the venue for its national conference, and reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of Abians and residents through strategic investments in healthcare and social services.
“The average Nigerian is struggling. Whatever we can do to make life easier and more meaningful for the people, we will do. Government must always be about the welfare of the people,” the Governor said.
He added: “Some people emphasize security, but I see security as part of welfare. If you’re not secure, there’s no welfare. If you’re not healthy, there’s no welfare. It’s all connected.”
Governor Otti also highlighted the achievements of his administration in the health sector, particularly the establishment of the Abia State Eyecare Management Bureau, which he described as possibly the first of its kind in the country.
He noted that the bureau had conducted free eye screenings, treatments, and surgeries for thousands of residents across all 17 local government areas of the state.
In her remarks, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi thanked the NOA for choosing Abia as the host state for its national conference. She also commended Governor Otti for creating the secure and enabling environment that made the gathering of over a thousand optometrists in the state possible, along with the national attention it brought to Abia.
