From our Correspondent

The Chairman, National Eye Health Committee, Prof Afekhide Ernest Omoti has stressed the need for individuals, communities, and governments to prioritize vision care as a vital part of overall health and national development.

The medical expert disclosed that findings revealed that 1.3 million Nigerians are estimated to be blind with over 80% of these cases being preventable or treatable.

Prof. Omoti who is a consultant ophthalmologist and also the Chairman, Eye Health Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), made the call as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 World Sight Day with theme, “Love Your Eyes”, “Love Your Eyes at work”, “Love Your Eyes Kids”, “Love Your Eyes – Protect the Future,”.

Prof. Omoti stated that the World Sight Day 2025 is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of eye health and the prevention of avoidable blindness.

Prof. Omoti also noted that in Nigeria, millions of Nigerians suffer from visual impairment, and many are at risk due to preventable causes.

“As we celebrate today, let us remember that vision is not just about sight; it is also about connection, opportunity, and the ability to navigate the world. Our eyes allow us to experience the beauty of life and our environment, from the smiles of our loved ones to the vibrant culture that surrounds us.

“This year’s theme, “Love Your Eyes”, “Love Your Eyes at work”, “Love Your Eyes Kids”, “Love Your Eyes – Protect the Future,” calls each of us – individuals, communities, and governments to action. This is because when we protect our eyes, we are not just safeguarding sight; we are securing productivity, learning, inclusion, dignity, and the future of our nation.

He emphasizes the urgent need for individuals, communities, and governments to prioritize vision care as a vital part of overall health and national development.”he said.

Speaking on the significance of the day, Prof Afekhide Ernest Omoti, a consultant Ophthalmologist, past chairman of Edo NMA and Chairman of the Eye Health Committee called on the public to take proactive steps toward protecting their vision.

He noted that eye health is not a privilege or a luxury but a human right, which, according to him, is also a cornerstone of national development.

“When we invest in eye care, we reduce poverty, boost education, and empower individuals to live full, productive lives. Little wonder that many of the sustainable development goals depend on good vision.

According to him, every Nigerian deserves access to affordable and quality eye care.

Prof. Omoti, while urging all Nigerian citizens to get their eyes tested regularly and to seek care early, especially for children and the elderly said over 1 billion people worldwide live with vision loss that could have been prevented or treated.

“Estimates in 2020 suggest that 24 million people in Nigeria were living with some form of vision loss, many unnecessarily. An estimated 4.25 million adults aged 40 and above have moderate to severe visual impairment, 1.3 million Nigerians are estimated to be blind with over 80% of these cases being preventable or treatable.

“Cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, tropical diseases, and diabetic retinopathy continue to rob our people both young and old of their sight, their confidence, and their economic potential. We can not afford to ignore this any longer.” Omoti said.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has officially declared Oke-Ero Local Government Area (LGA) in Kwara State as Open Defecation Free (ODF), following a comprehensive validation exercise conducted by the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS).

The validation exercise was carried out between 21st and 25th July, 2025 by the NTGS, during which Oke-Ero LGA was assessed in accordance with the revised national ODF protocol. Based on the findings, the LGA was found to have met all required indicators and was therefore approved for ODF status on 27th August, 2025.

The official communication of this development was conveyed to Mr. Olorunfemi Adewumi Oladipo, the General Manager of the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), through a formal letter authored by the Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Federal Ministry; Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh. The letter was issued on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Mrs Elisabeth Ugoh, who congratulated the Kwara State Government and the people of Oke-Ero on achieving this national milestone, noted that sanitation is a continuous activity.

The correspondence described the achievement as a significant step forward in the national effort to eradicate open defecation and commended the sustained efforts of the local government, community leaders, stakeholders, and sanitation partners.

It would be recalled that the NTGS validation team conducted detailed assessments across households, institutions, and public spaces in Oke-Ero LGA, confirming the absence of open defecation and the presence of functional sanitation facilities, hygiene awareness, and sustained behavioural change, all of which are prerequisites under the national ODF criteria.

As part of the formal process, the Minister, Prof. Engr. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, is expected to communicate this achievement in writing to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaqn, as, in line with established national protocol, the Governor is expected to host an official event to commemorate the ODF declaration of Oke-Ero LGA.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Yinusa Lade, lauded the milestone as a testament to the state’s unwavering commitment to improving sanitation and public health. He commended the people of Oke-Ero for their resilience, cooperation, and ownership of the sanitation initiatives, which he described as critical to the sustainability of this achievement.

Hon. Lade, who reiterated the State government’s commitment to scaling up similar interventions across other LGAs, noted that with Oke-Ero setting the pace, the Ministry will intensify efforts to ensure that the entire State is declared Open Defecation Free well ahead of the national 2030 target.

Responding to the announcement, Mr. Oladipo expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing it as a reflection of collaborative effort across multiple levels of governance and community participation. Mr Olorunfemi Oladipo reaffirmed RUWASSA’s continued commitment to supporting other LGAs in the State to achieve similar results.

Mr Oladipo also urged local authorities and stakeholders in Oke-Ero to ensure the sustainability of this status, by adhering to the recommendations outlined in the validation report, which has been enclosed with the official communication.

This development positions Kwara State as one of the leaders in sanitation progress and contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s broader objective of eliminating open defecation nationwide by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

End

By Hassan Taiye

The Toxinological Society of Nigeria (TSN) has called on the federal and state governments to invest in local anti venom production and strengthen healthcare facilities to curb the rising burden of snakebite envenoming across the country.

This was contained in a communique issued by the Society’s Secretary-General, Dr. Mustapha Shehu Muhammad, at the end of its 2nd Annual General Meeting held between September 14 and 17 at Gombe State University.

The four-day conference, with the theme “Exploring Indigenous Anti-Venom Development and Therapy in Nigeria: Policies, Challenges and Opportunities,” attracted over 1,000 participants, including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, traditional leaders, and students.

Experts at the meeting disclosed that Nigeria records about 43,000 snakebite cases every year, leading to nearly 1,900 deaths, with children accounting for 30 percent of victims.

They identified delayed treatment, the high cost of anti venom, and inadequate facilities especially in rural areas as key factors worsening outcomes.

In his keynote address, Prof. Abdulrazak Habib stressed the urgent need for government and private sector collaboration in developing indigenous anti venom, warning that failure to act would worsen mortality rates and economic losses.

Delegates also visited the Snakebite Treatment and Research Hospital in Kaltungo, describing it as overstretched and in dire need of expansion.

The Society recommended establishing a National Centre of Excellence for Venom, Anti venom, and Natural Toxins Research in Gombe, and upgrading the Kaltungo hospital into a fully equipped National Snakebite Hospital with modern equipment, surveillance systems, and training capacity.

It further urged the Gombe State Government to dedicate at least one percent of its internal revenue to snakebite response, including free anti venom distribution, and to integrate snakebite research and training into the curriculum of Gombe State University.