Afeni Prioritises Officers’ Welfare, Sponsors Free Eye Care for Ogun I Customs Personnel
Afeni Prioritises Officers’ Welfare, Sponsors Free Eye Care for Ogun I Customs Personnel
…Says Clear Vision Critical to Border Security, Operational Efficiency
By Silas Onuoha
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has demonstrated his commitment to the welfare and operational readiness of officers and men under his command by sponsoring a comprehensive free eye-care programme for personnel of the Command.
The initiative, organised as part of ongoing efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of officers, provided beneficiaries with access to professional ophthalmic services aimed at detecting visual problems early and preventing avoidable eye-related complications.
The exercise was conducted by qualified medical professionals from Vision Spring, through the See to Be Safe (S2S) preventive eye-care project. Services provided included visual acuity screening to assess the clarity of vision, funduscopy to examine the retina and optic nerve, as well as the provision of free prescription glasses to officers who required them.
Declaring the exercise open, Deputy Comptroller Afeni stressed that good vision is indispensable to effective border security, tactical enforcement and administrative responsibilities.
According to him, officers of the Ogun I Area Command perform demanding duties that range from border surveillance and field enforcement to security checks, physical examinations and administrative documentation, all of which require sound physical and visual health.
His words.
“Good health remains the foundational pillar of operational efficiency and officers’ wellbeing. Our officers undergo demanding daily tasks, ranging from tactical border surveillance and field enforcement to detailed physical examinations and administrative documentation.
“Regular eye screening is a crucial preventive measure that safeguards our officers’ health while maintaining peak command efficiency.”
Afeni further explained that clear vision enhances reaction time, night-time vigilance and accuracy during border patrols and security operations, thereby contributing directly to the effectiveness of the Command.
He noted that officers operating along the border are frequently exposed to harsh environmental conditions, making periodic eye examinations important in preventing eye strain, fatigue and other visual complications.
The Customs Area Controller also emphasised that good eyesight extends beyond professional performance, stressing its importance to personal safety, family life and long-term wellbeing.
He therefore encouraged all officers and men of the Command to take advantage of routine medical screenings and make their eye health a priority.
“Taking proactive steps today ensures that we remain sharp, capable and ready to discharge our national mandate effectively. Protect your vision; it is your most valuable window to the world,” Afeni said.
Earlier, the Team Lead and Consultant of the See to Be Safe (S2S) project, Dr. Obioma Uchandu, explained that the initiative was designed to promote preventive eye care among Customs officers and contribute to the elimination of avoidable blindness.
Uchandu noted that the programme was particularly important for officers deployed to Nigeria’s borders, where demanding operational conditions require personnel to maintain optimal vision at all times.
She said the project seeks to encourage early detection and treatment of eye conditions before they develop into more serious complications.
Beneficiaries of the exercise expressed appreciation to the Command for the initiative, describing it as a practical demonstration of leadership that places the welfare of personnel at the centre of operational effectiveness.
They noted that initiatives of this nature not only improve the health of officers but also boost morale, enhance confidence and ensure that personnel remain physically and mentally prepared for the demands of their duties.
The free eye-care programme is the latest in a series of welfare-oriented gestures associated with the leadership of Deputy Comptroller Afeni, who has continued to demonstrate concern for the wellbeing of officers and men under his command.
For the Ogun I Area Command, the initiative underscores the understanding that a healthy workforce is an effective workforce. By investing in the health of its personnel, the Command is not only protecting its officers but also strengthening their capacity to effectively safeguard Nigeria’s borders and fulfil the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Ogun I Area Command has therefore reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining welfare programmes and other initiatives that promote a healthy, motivated, responsive and operationally effective workforce.
