By Peace Udugba
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), 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 operational efficiency.
The health outreach, held at the Ogun I Area Command headquarters in Idiroko, provided comprehensive ophthalmic services aimed at promoting eye health and the early detection of vision-related problems among Customs personnel.
The programme, conducted in partnership with VisionSpring’s See to Be Safe (S2S) initiative, featured visual acuity screening, fundus examinations to assess the retina and optic nerve, and the distribution of free prescription glasses to officers diagnosed with vision impairments.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Comptroller Afeni stressed that good eyesight is essential for effective border security, tactical enforcement and administrative responsibilities.
He noted that Customs officers routinely undertake physically demanding assignments, including border surveillance, enforcement operations, cargo inspections and documentation, making regular eye examinations critical to maintaining peak performance.
According to him, clear vision enhances officers’ reaction time, improves night-time vigilance and increases accuracy during border patrols and security checks, ultimately strengthening the command’s operational effectiveness.
Afeni also highlighted the impact of prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions, saying periodic eye examinations help prevent eye strain, fatigue and other vision-related challenges.
“Good vision is fundamental not only for career performance but also for personal safety, family life and long-term well-being. I encourage all officers and men of Ogun I Area Command to prioritise their eye health by participating in routine vision screening exercises,” he said.
He added that taking preventive health measures would ensure officers remain fit, alert and capable of effectively carrying out their national responsibilities.
Earlier, the Team Lead Consultant for the See to Be Safe (S2S) preventive eye care project, Dr. Obioma Uchandu, said the initiative is designed to eliminate preventable blindness among Customs personnel, particularly officers safeguarding Nigeria’s borders, including the Idiroko border corridor.
Officers who benefited from the programme commended the initiative, describing it as a morale booster that would improve their health and readiness for duty.
The Ogun I Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to implementing welfare programmes that promote the health, productivity and overall well-being of its workforce.
