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Reps Pass Bill to Establish More Specialist Eye Care Centres in Nigeria
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives at the plenary on Wednesday passed through second reading, a Bill seeking to amend the National Eye centre Act, 2004, to provide for the establishment of more specialist eye care centres.
The proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson and 5 other lawmakers.
Leading the debate on its general principles, Kalu noted that the bill seeks to enhance access to qualitative eye care services across the six geo-political zones of the nation.
According to him, the proposed amendments seek to address the pressing need for more specialist eye care centres to cater for the growing population and address the rising cases of eye diseases in the country.
Making reference to reports, he lamented that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially the rural areas where access to specialized care is limited.
He expressed optimism that the proposed amendments will rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He added that by doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers.
Kalu said, “I rise to lead the debate on the general principles of a Bill for an Act to amend the National Eye Centre Act, Cap N38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which seeks to enhance access to qualitative eye care services across the six geo-political zones of our beloved nation. The proposed amendments seek to address the pressing need for more specialist eye care centres to cater for the growing population and address the rising cases of eye diseases in the country. The Bill was read for the first time on Wednesday, 20thDecember, 2023.
“As we are all aware, access to quality healthcare services, especially in specialised areas like eye care, is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. The statistics reveal that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially the rural areas where access to specialized care is limited. Unfortunately, the existing National Eye Centre in Kaduna, though commendable in its efforts, is unable to adequately meet the eye care needs of our vast and diverse nation. This inadequacy has led to disparities in access to eye care services, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas.
“The proposed amendments, thus aim to rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country. By doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers. We hope to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can access quality eye care services. This is not just a matter of healthcare; it is a matter of equity and social justice. This Bill which seeks to enhance and improve access to quality eye care in Nigeria has the following key provisions.
“The creation of 5 additional Specialist Eye Care Centres spread across the remaining 5 geopolitical zones of Nigeria not originally covered by the principal legislation which only provided for an Eye Care Centre in Kaduna, North West Nigeria. The establishment of separate Boards to govern each centre and academic committees to oversee academic affairs. These bodies will not only ensure effective management and coordination of the Centres’ activities by overseeing their day-to-day operations, but shall also drive research and educational initiatives in ophthalmology, thereby fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in eye care. In presenting this bill, we are reaffirming our commitment to the visual health and well-being of every Nigerian. By establishing additional centers, we can decentralize eye care services, reduce travel costs for patients, and ultimately protect and preserve the precious gift of sight for all citizens. Honourable Colleagues, I urge you all to support this Bill as it represents a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in the critical area of eye care. Together, let us illuminate the path to a future where quality eye care is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every Nigerian.”
Thereafter the bill was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abass, GCON who presided over the session and it was passed and referred to the committee on speciality Healthcare.
The African Democratic Congress has given reasons why its presidential flag bearer Atiku Abubakar was absent at the G100 summit in Abuja.
ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, gave the explanation on Tuesday during an interview saying the summit focused on cooperation among political parties rather than individual candidates.
He said the ADC was fully represented at Monday’s meeting, with four of its vice chairmen in attendance, making Atiku’s physical presence unnecessary.
The summit, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, brought together representatives of major opposition parties to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
News
“Go Back and Repair Our Road!” — Enugu Residents Turn APC Campaign Ground Into Assessment Session(Video)
Drama unfolded in Enugu North when a man reportedly campaigning for the APC in Peter Mbah-branded clothing was confronted by residents over the condition of their community.
Instead of the expected campaign applause, residents turned the encounter into an impromptu accountability hearing.
Community: “As you were coming here, how did the road look?”
APC Supporter: “It is very terrible.”
Community: “Go and tell the people who sent you to come and construct the road for us.”
APC Supporter: “I will inform them.”
The residents did not stop there.
Community: “Is that not a primary school your community members attend? How is it?”
APC Supporter: “It is bad.”
And just like that, the campaign rally became a road-and-school inspection.
The Defence Headquarters has said the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel from Nigeria will not affect the country’s security cooperation with the US, describing the development as a routine adjustment tied to specific operational objectives.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen S. Uba, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the joint security spokespersons briefing.
Uba said the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the longstanding security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the Nigeria-United States security partnership,” he said.
According to him, the relationship between both countries remains “strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial,” noting that the deployment of American personnel was linked to specific operational and counterterrorism objectives.
“The decision to draw down personnel is therefore part of the evolving nature of that engagement. Elements of the United States security partnership, particularly intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing, will continue,” Uba added.
He stressed that the responsibility for defending Nigeria and protecting its citizens remained primarily with Nigerian security forces, while noting that cooperation with the US aimed to strengthen the capabilities of the Nigerian military.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has consistently maintained that the responsibility for the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens rests primarily with Nigerian security forces,” the DDI said.
He explained that the bilateral security partnership covered intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and other forms of professional military cooperation.
“Our cooperation with the United States is designed to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance, and other forms of professional military cooperation,” he said.
Uba said that when Nigeria and the US jointly assessed the need for additional interventions, including joint strikes, they carried them out.
“Where it is jointly assessed that additional efforts, including joint strikes, are required, we do that,” he stated.
The defence spokesman said the partnership had continued to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats.
“Indeed, the Nigeria-United States partnership has continued to produce valuable outcomes in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats,” he said.
Uba urged the media and members of the public not to interpret the adjustment in the presence of foreign military personnel as an indication of weakening security cooperation or Nigeria’s defence capacity.
“We equally call on the media and the Nigerian public to avoid interpreting a routine or mission-specific adjustment in foreign military presence as evidence of a collapse in Nigerian security cooperation or national defence capability,” he said.
He reiterated that the Nigeria-US security relationship remained enduring and that cooperation in areas of mutual interest was expected to continue.
The clarification came after US officials said most of the additional forces deployed for the Lake Chad operation had returned following the completion of their mission, while intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigeria would continue.
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