Vision Health Key to Effective Policing, Says Police Affairs Permanent Secretary

Vision Health Key to Effective Policing, Says Police Affairs Permanent Secretary

Abuja, Nigeria – October 10, 2025

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia, has emphasized the vital role of vision health in enhancing the efficiency and safety of policing operations across the country.

Dr. Anuma made the remarks during the flag-off of a free eye screening and eyeglass distribution exercise for staff of the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The initiative was organized by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Health and Police Affairs at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

According to him, clear vision is indispensable to the daily duties of police officers, which involve reading reports, analysing evidence, and maintaining vigilance during security operations.

“Protecting their eyesight is protecting their ability to serve the nation,” Dr. Anuma said. “This is why we welcome the collaboration with ODORBN and the Federal Ministry of Health in promoting awareness, providing eye screenings, and integrating eye care into workplace wellness programmes.”

He added that the partnership underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that eye care is not treated as a luxury but as an essential component of public health and national security.

“Eye health is often taken for granted until challenges arise. Yet, most visual impairments are preventable or treatable if detected early,” he noted, citing the importance of routine eye checks, corrective lenses, and timely surgical interventions for conditions such as cataracts.

Speaking in commemoration of World Sight Day 2025, themed “Love Your Eyes: Vision for All,” the Permanent Secretary stressed that access to quality eye care should be a right for all Nigerians, not a privilege for a few. The message, he said, aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of achieving universal health coverage and inclusive wellbeing.

In his remarks, the Deputy Registrar of ODORBN, Dr. Igbo Okafor, expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the Ministry, describing it as a crucial step toward preventing blindness and visual impairment in Nigeria.

He highlighted the board’s role in regulating optical facilities to ensure quality service delivery and encouraged participants to take advantage of available eye care resources. “Simple measures such as regular check-ups and the use of protective lenses, like blue-coated glasses, can make a significant difference,” he said.

The event was organized in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to global efforts aimed at achieving “Vision for All.”