The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), 81 Division Chapter, in collaboration with Restore Foundation for Child Sight, a Non-Governmental Organisation focused on improving vision and ocular alignment in children have donated over 391 eyeglasses and 314 eye-related drugs to School Children in the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The Exercise, themed: “School Eye Health Programme” was held at 81 Division Officers’ Mess Onikan Lagos on 3rd April 2024.
Speaking during the event, the 81 Division NAOWA Chairperson, Mrs. Pharm Rekiya Usman said the Exercise was conducted in three phases which included, training, screening, and intervention phases.
She added that the Association in collaboration with Restore Foundation has been able to train teachers under the Division on how to identify children with sight impairment, consulted with over 3,110 students at the screening phase and has been able to identify 391 children which are being presented with eyeglasses and 12 kids, for eyes surgery.
She added that one of the children had successfully undergone the operation. She thanked the National President, NAOWA, Mrs. Maria Lagbaja for her guidance and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division for his support.
The GOC in his remarks, appreciated the Chairperson for the initiative; promising that the Division would continue to support the Association’s unique innovative programmes.
He also extended his gratitude to the Foundation for its humanitarian services to the country’s future generation. Gen Usman further promised to suggest the idea to other divisions in the NA.
Some of the schools that benefited from the programme included: Command Day Secondary Schools, Ojo, Ikeja and Oshodi. Command Children Schools, Bonny Cantonment, Ojo and Ikeja.
Others were NAOWA Nursery and Primary Schools, Ojo, Yaba, Ikorodu and Badagry, all in Lagos State and NAOWA Nursery and Primary School, Owode, Ogun State.
Present at the event were the Corps Commander Education, Maj Gen Bello Tsoho, Commanders, Staff and students of all the participating Secondary and Primary schools.
It would be recalled that the Chairperson, 81 Division NAOWA, Pharm Mrs Rekiya Usman was conferred with Ambassador of 81 Division Education by the Acting Director 81 Division Education Services, Lt Col OD Bamiteko for her unique contributions and giant strides; and shaping the future of children in the Division.