Eye Care Initiative: Police Officers, Celebrities Applaud Sanwo-Olu as Free Vision Screening Continues at Zone 2 Police Command
Police officers, public officials, and beneficiaries have commended Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as the Lagos State Government’s free eye care programme for security personnel continued on Day 2 at the Zone 2 Police Command Headquarters, with many describing the initiative as a timely intervention aimed at improving the health and operational efficiency of police officers.
The ongoing medical outreach, which focuses on vision screening and distribution of corrective glasses to officers, attracted commendations from senior police officers and stakeholders who described it as the first of its kind within the command.
Speaking during the exercise, the officer in charge of X-Squad at the command, ACP Edino Justice Ojali, expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, noting that clear vision is essential for police officers to effectively discharge their duties.
According to him, the programme has provided officers with a rare opportunity to check their eyesight and receive necessary corrective support.
“We are very grateful for this initiative that came to Zone 2 to test our eyes. It has never happened before. As police officers, we understand the importance of the eyes to the human body because we rely on clear vision to carry out our work effectively,” he said.
Ojali further thanked the Lagos State Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for supporting the programme, while appealing for more opportunities for officers to benefit from similar health interventions.
Also speaking, Dr. Jimlas Opeyemi Ogunsaki, Senior Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor on Public Health, described the collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force as a commendable step toward strengthening occupational health support for security personnel.
He noted that the programme aligns with recent reforms in the police medical system, particularly the upgrade of the Police medical services to a Directorate in 2025.
Ogunsaki said the initiative reflects a growing focus on preventive healthcare within the force.
“This institutional occupational health system between the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force is highly commendable. Since the medical services of the Police were upgraded to a Directorate in 2025, we are now seeing more emphasis on preventive medicine and healthcare responses such as what we are witnessing here today,” he said.
Another government official, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sport Mr. Damilare Orimoloye, said the initiative was designed to address safety concerns, particularly issues related to poor eyesight among drivers and security personnel.
He explained that the programme initially targeted drivers due to the increasing number of road accidents linked to vision challenges, but was later extended to police officers who play a critical role in maintaining road safety and public security.
“This initiative is a welcome development. The government identified recurring incidents involving drivers and accidents, and one of the issues discovered was poor eyesight. Since police officers are key stakeholders in road safety and security operations, it was important to extend the programme to them,” he said.
Damilare also commended officials within the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Transportation for supporting the programme, noting that public participation has been encouraging.
The outreach also attracted the presence of popular Nigerian reality television personality, Anita Natacha Akide, who described the initiative as thoughtful and impactful.
Tacha praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for prioritizing the welfare of security personnel, stressing that police officers deserve greater support considering the risks associated with their duties.
“It takes a lot for a police officer to leave their family and come out to protect other Nigerians. Sometimes they themselves need protection and empowerment. So when I heard about this initiative, I immediately fell in love with the idea and decided to be part of it,” she said.
She revealed that she personally participated in the eye examination and discovered a minor vision issue that would require corrective glasses.
According to her, the last time she had an eye test was several years ago, adding that the initiative has encouraged her to prioritize regular health checks.
“I actually did my eye test here today and discovered I may have a small sight issue. In a few weeks, I’ll be getting my glasses. If not for this initiative, I probably wouldn’t have checked my eyes now,” she added.
Beneficiaries at the event included police officers and members of the public who were allowed access to the free screening exercise conducted within the command premises.
Participants expressed optimism that the initiative would be sustained and expanded to benefit more security personnel across the state.
The Lagos State Government’s police eye care programme is part of broader welfare interventions designed to support frontline security personnel and enhance their capacity to perform their duties effectively.
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