FCMB Supports Visually Impaired
The annual First City Monument Bank (FCMB)’s sponsored free eye screening and cataract surgery programme known as, “Priceless Gift of Sight,” has commenced in Kebbi, Cross Rivers and Imo states.
The bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative involves eye screening tests, full ophthalmic medical examination, eye surgeries, provision of free medication, eye glasses and counselling for those suffering from cataract, an eye defect that could lead to blindness if not promptly treated.
According to a statement at the weekend, this year marks the eight consecutive years the bank would be organising the intervention programme in partnership with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF), a Nigerian-Indian non-profit organisation.
“Thousands of people across Nigeria have so far benefited from the exercise since it commenced in 2009. This year, the Bank sponsored 500 eye surgeries in Kebbi, Cross Rivers and Imo states, while thousand others underwent the screening for cataract during the programme.
“In 2016, a total number of 2,328 people were screened in Cross Rivers, Katsina and Kebbi states with 400 eye surgeries successfully performed. The bank has previously carried out the programme in Adamawa, Imo, and Ogun states,” a statement added.
Commenting on the initiative and the involvement of FCMB, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Mr. Diran Olojo, said: “The importance of sight to the well-being of an individual and the nation cannot be over-emphasised. We are proud to sustain the sponsorship of this initiative with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation because it has continued to positively touch and transform the lives of thousands of people, homes, businesses and indeed, the society.
“We believe that all communities in which we operate should benefit from our presence by contributing to their sustainable development. Our commitment to providing help and meeting the needs of some people in the society has continued to model our approach to how we operate as a business.”
He pointed out that cataract had become a global problem that affects mostly the aged, but recent discoveries have shown that it is beginning to also affect the younger ones. Olojo pointed out that this has negative implications for the socio-economic development of the country, especially in the areas of manpower development and poverty alleviation.