The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to preventive healthcare and road safety, urging commercial drivers to undergo regular eye examinations to prevent road accidents and protect lives.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, at the grand finale of the 2026 World Sight Day celebration held on Thursday, October 15, at the Prof. Nnenna Oti Mega Bus Terminal, Umuahia, the Governor emphasised the importance of good vision in ensuring road safety.
Speaking on the theme, “Love Your Eyes,” with the state-specific message, “Safe Eyes, Safe Roads, Safe Lives,” Emetu described the initiative as an important link between preventive healthcare and road safety, particularly for commercial drivers whose daily responsibilities involve transporting passengers and goods.
“Your vision is directly connected to the safety of your passengers, your fellow road users and, indeed, your own life. Regular eye examinations are not merely a personal health responsibility; they are a professional obligation and a commitment to every life you carry on our roads,” Emetu said.
He reaffirmed the Otti administration’s commitment to initiatives that promote the health and well-being of residents, noting that a healthy population and safer roads were essential to Abia’s productivity and development.
The Deputy Governor commended the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, the Ministries of Health, Transport and Education, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other partners for their collaboration in advancing eye-health awareness and road safety.
He also praised the commercial drivers and transport operators who participated in the free eye-screening exercise, urging them to embrace routine vision checks, obey traffic regulations and adopt responsible driving practices.
“A safe Abia is a healthy Abia, and a healthy Abia is a productive Abia. By investing in the health of our drivers and promoting a culture of responsible driving, we are investing in the safety, prosperity and future of our entire state,” he added.
As part of the ceremony, Emetu, on behalf of the Governor, unveiled a visual corridor at the terminal to serve as a lasting reminder to drivers, commuters and other road users of the importance of regular eye examinations and safe driving habits.
In a practical demonstration of the importance of eye health, Deputy Governor Emetu also underwent a vision test at the event, reinforcing the Otti administration’s message that regular eye examinations are essential to preventing avoidable accidents, protecting lives and promoting safer roads across Abia State.
Earlier, the Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr. Betty Emeka Obasi, disclosed that the bureau had established 25 eye clinics and vision centres across the state’s 17 local government areas.
She revealed that the bureau had attended to more than 33,884 patients, screened 31,152 people through community outreaches, performed over 2,000 eye surgeries, including cataract operations, and identified more than 6,381 cases of glaucoma.
Obasi attributed these achievements to the support of the Otti administration, noting that the expansion of eye-care services was bringing screening, early diagnosis and treatment closer to communities across the state.
She cautioned residents against self-medication and patronage of unqualified practitioners, urging them to seek professional attention for eye-related problems. She also encouraged parents and teachers to ensure that children underwent regular eye examinations to prevent undetected vision problems from affecting their education and development.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, emphasised that undetected eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors, could compromise driving ability and increase the risk of road traffic crashes.
He explained that the initiative aligned with the state government’s health system transformation agenda, including Project Ekwueme, which is strengthening primary healthcare delivery and integrating community eye-care services into healthcare facilities.
Uche urged motorists to take advantage of available screening services and complement good vision with compliance with traffic regulations, adequate rest and avoidance of alcohol and other substances that impair judgement.
The FRSC Abia State Sector Commander, CC Ngozi I. Ezeoma, stressed that driving experience could not compensate for impaired eyesight. She warned that poor vision could delay reactions, affect distance judgement and make it difficult for drivers to identify road signs, pedestrians and other hazards.
She urged motorists to comply with vision requirements during the licensing process, wear prescribed corrective lenses and seek professional attention whenever they experienced visual difficulties. She also called on transport unions and fleet operators to incorporate periodic eye examinations into their drivers’ welfare and safety programmes.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with health authorities, transport unions and road safety agencies to promote routine eye screening and responsible driving across Abia State.
The guest speaker, Dr. Ijeoma Ugboaku Alozie, Head of the Optometry Unit at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, highlighted the importance of early detection and treatment of eye conditions, warning against poor health-seeking habits and the use of unprescribed eye medications.
The celebration featured free eye-screening services, road safety sensitisation, stakeholder engagement, and awards recognising organisations and individuals for their contributions to eye-health promotion.
Among those recognised were Dr. Chinenyem Pamela Ozemela, OON, Medical Director of the Pamela Eze Global Foundation (PEGF) Vision Centre, and Dr. Ijeoma Ugboaku Alozie, the guest speaker. Organisations recognised included OneSight, EssilorLuxottica, the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) and the NNPC Foundation.
Ibeku High School emerged as the winner of the inter-school competition, which promoted eye-health awareness and road safety education among young people.
The event was attended by top government functionaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ngozi Anazodo; the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Health and Transport, Dr. Ifeyinwa Uma Kalu and Barr. Jane Olamma Awa, respectively; the Deputy Mayor of Bende LGA, Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Anya; traditional rulers; religious leaders; healthcare professionals; transport union representatives; commercial drivers; and students.
Sir Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Abia State
October 15, 2026.
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