Thoughtful Intervention : Afeni Sponsors Free Eye Care Programme for Ogun I Customs Officers
Thoughtful Intervention :
Afeni Sponsors Free Eye Care Programme for Ogun I Customs Officers
…Says a healthy workforce remains indispensable to effective border management
In a remarkable demonstration of his outstanding commitment to personnel welfare and institutional excellence, the Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, DC Oladapo Afeni, has sponsored a comprehensive free eye care programme for officers and men under his watch.
The programme can be described as a thoughtful intervention by DC Afeni for officers to access quality healthcare, to boost morale, enhance confidence, and reinforce their readiness to perform their duties with renewed vigour and professionalism.
The programme designed to promote preventive healthcare and strengthen operational readiness, underscores his people-centred leadership philosophy and his conviction that a healthy workforce remains indispensable to effective border management.
Known to be intelligent administrator and highly skilled Customs officer, DC Afeni continues to distinguish himself through pragmatic leadership that places equal emphasis on operational efficiency and the well-being of personnel.
Physically fit, mentally agile, and deeply committed to professional excellence, Afeni has consistently championed programmes that enhance the welfare, competence, and career development of officers in his command, fostering a motivated workforce capable of delivering on the Service’s strategic mandate.
The eye care programme further reflects Afeni’s exemplary leadership style, one which recognises that organisational success is ultimately driven by the health, welfare, and professional advancement of the workforce.
The free medical outreach, implemented in collaboration with VisionSpring under the ‘See to Be Safe (S2S) initiative’, offered specialised ophthalmic services delivered by qualified eye care professionals. Officers underwent comprehensive visual acuity screening to assess the clarity of their vision, while funduscopy examinations enabled medical experts to evaluate the health of the retina, optic nerve, and other internal structures of the eye.
Beneficiaries requiring corrective lenses were also provided with prescription eyeglasses at no cost, ensuring that visual impairments do not hinder their professional responsibilities.
Declaring the exercise open, Deputy Comptroller Afeni emphasised that optimal vision remains an indispensable requirement for effective border security, tactical enforcement operations, intelligence gathering, and administrative responsibilities.
According to him, good health constitutes the foundation upon which operational efficiency and personnel productivity are built, noting that Customs officers routinely undertake physically demanding assignments ranging from rigorous border surveillance and anti-smuggling operations to meticulous cargo examinations and documentation processes.
He explained that clear vision significantly improves reaction time, enhances night-time vigilance, and increases precision during patrol operations and security inspections, all of which directly contribute to the Command’s effectiveness in safeguarding the nation’s borders.
He further observed that prolonged exposure to harsh environmental conditions during patrol duties places immense strain on officers’ eyesight, making periodic eye examinations an essential preventive measure against fatigue, visual deterioration, and other avoidable complications.
“Good vision is fundamental not only to professional performance but also to personal safety, family well-being, and long-term vitality,” Afeni stated.
He encouraged officers and men of the Command to embrace routine eye screening as an integral aspect of healthy living, stressing that proactive healthcare would ensure they remain alert, resilient, and fully prepared to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with distinction.
“Taking proactive steps today ensures that we remain sharp, capable, and ready to discharge our national mandate effectively. Protect your vision,” he urged.
Earlier, the Team Leader of the See to Be Safe (S2S) Project, Consultant Dr. Obioma Uchandu, explained that the initiative is dedicated to promoting preventive eye care among Customs personnel, particularly frontline officers deployed to strategic border formations such as Idiroko.
She stressed that the programme seeks to eliminate preventable blindness through early detection, timely intervention, and sustained awareness of ocular health among security operatives.
Officers who benefited from the exercise expressed profound appreciation to the Area Controller for what they described as a thoughtful and impactful intervention.
Under his stewardship, Ogun I Area Command continues to cultivate a resilient, highly skilled, and wellness-conscious workforce, reinforcing the capacity to deliver effective border security while setting an admirable standard for personnel care.
