Correspondents Chapel Jos organizes One-day Free Medical Eye Treatment

…In collaboration with Sightsavers Nigeria.

by Christiana Gokyo, Jos

Leadership of the Correspondent Chapel, Jos, Plateau State, has organised a one-day free eye medical treatment, which witnessed massive turnout of beneficiaries not only journalists but other works of life, as eye glasses and medication were given freely.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Musa Ashoms, while declaring the event open, said that, “As the Forth Estate of the Realm, we deserve to have our vision, we deserve to have two eyes and deserve to see clearly,” adding that, “Today, by this exercise we believe that journalists in the state, not only from the correspondents chapel would benefit from this benevolence.” 

The event was organised in collaboration with the Sightsavers Nigeria, for journalists and other beneficiaries within and outside the NUJ members on Monday.

Our correspondent reports that, Sightsavers has  been doing this for a while and that is why the State Government, under Governor Caleb Mutfwang, is in partnership with them. 

Hon. Musa Ashoms disclosed that, “We had the center in Shendam, Pankshin and, very soon we are going to have another one in Jos so that the sight of our people would be restored.

“When you cross 40 years, you begin to have sight effect. So, it is good to take care of your eyes because it is the window to your wealth, it is the door to your wealth and without a vision a lot of things cannot be achieved,” he noted.

While describing eyes as a “basic necessity organ in human body,” which its function cannot be overemphasized, the commissioner urged citizens, especially journalists, to constantly examine their sight for healthy living, as it is the “window and door” for wealth creation.

Hon. Ashoms also commended leadership of the correspondent chapel, under Mr Polycarp Auta, (in less than three months of assumption of office) “for bringing this noble partnership; this is what leadership should be.”

The Communications Commissionerwent ahead to equally commend Sightsavers Nigeria for what they are doing, which is worthy of commendation, and thanked them for saving the sight of our dear journalists.

Also, Chairman NUJ Plateau State Council, Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, acknowledged that the eye is very important in human existence, especially journalists, adding that, quite a lot of people had been suffering from sight issues but they do not know due to negligence.

She commended the Correspondents Chapel for the “noble gesture,” and challenged other chapels to follow suit by organizing programmes that are beneficial to members.

Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr Polycarp Auta, noted that, “The initiative is part of the Executive members of the Chapel-driven philosophy aimed at attaining to welfare of members,” and appreciated Sightsavers Nigeria “for hacking to the demands of the Chapel” by way of partnership and rendering of free eye services to its members.

He said he would try to fulfill his campaign promises to the members of the Chapel, through training, retraining of its members on entrepreneurial skills acquisition and farming to be financially independent within the shortest period in office.

Mr Polycarp Auta also called on the State Government to equally partner with the media practitioners to better their well-being and improve their condition of living, and urged members of NUJ to be objective and always balance their reports – to avoid conflicting reporting, adding, “And nobody is saying that the truth should not be told, but we want balanced reportage to wake government up to their responsibility and to put them on track, particularly whenever they are going off record.”

The Chairman also called on government agencies to cooperate with the media practitioners in the area of reporting and information gathering, saying, “That is when the state would witness accurate/balance in communities towards reducing crime and criminality through the reportage.”

According to him, “The reason for organizing the eyesight screening exercise was to improve the members’ vision, because the eye is one of the vital organs of man/woman that is very, very important for doing everything you need to do as a human being.

“As journalists and members of the Pen Professional, we need our vision and eyes to be intact to perform the work credibly and effectively. That is why the members of correspondent chapel of NUJ embarked on the free eye check for members and the neighbouring community,” he noted.

Speaking also during the exercise, the Country Director, Sightsavers Nigeria, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, represented by its Senior Program Manager, Dr Selben Penzin, revealed that the International Organization has been in existing for many years in Nigeria; they are in partnership with media, and, NUJ Plateau State Correspondents Chapel is not an exception.

She said the organization is rendering services in the areas of eye prevention, treatment of eye blindness, as well as other humanitarian assistance.