FirstBank partners NGOs to provide free eye glasses to 500 widows

To facilitate the increased empowerment of women, FirstBank Nigeria has collaborated with the International Women’s Society (IWS) and Vision Spring to provide 500 eye glasses to widows.

It was reported that the free eye check and glasses provision was done in Lagos in commemoration of “Giving Tuesday”.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organisations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity.

It is usually celebrated five days after the U.S Thanksgiving Day and heralds the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.

Mrs Bashirat Odunewu, Group Executive, Energy and Infrastructure, FirstBank, said that the bank’s corporate responsibility and sustainability activities aligns with the objectives of “Giving Tuesday”.

“Today’s free eye test for widows is one of our numerous acts of kindness to various individuals and groups in the society, being a part of the health and welfare arms of our group’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

“It is our hope that today’s engagement, which is targeted at a significant group of women, would enable all to manage their various families, social and economic engagement better,” she said.

Odunewu said the exercise was in line with the bank’s commitment to fostering the development of women, saying that women play significant role that translates to the growth of a functional society.

Also, Mrs Nkoli Ogbolu, President of IWS, said that it was vital to boost the vision of women toward removing impediments to their lives.

“We need women to see well so that they can reduce their poverty level, if a woman is blind, has cataract or glaucoma, she is impeded.

“We do not want such impediments; we want women to realise their dreams. I am very happy with FirstBank partnership with Vision Spring to raise the vision of our women,” Ogbolu said.

She urged other organisations to emulate the FirstBank by supporting healthcare, education and empowerment to aid socioeconomic development.

In his remarks, Mrs Tinuke Adeyinka, Senior Executive, Vision Spring Nigeria, said that the screening exercise revealed that many women require eye glasses to see properly.

Adeyinka said that the organisation had been intervening by providing eye care for women and children in different countries.

She said that the organisation’s partnership with FirstBank had improved sights of teachers, school children and also members of the Old People’s Home.

Adeyinka said that the collaboration had impacted over 15, 000 Nigerians positively in the last two years, thus improving their vision, life and society at large.