By Cletus Asuquo
Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, has commissioned a multi-million-naira optometry clinic.
This is aimed at boosting eye-care training and services in the Niger Delta. The facility, supported by Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) and implemented by Charis Vision and Health Mission (CharisHealth), was unveiled on Wednesday.
The university also inducted seven new Doctors of Optometry at a separate ceremony held on Thursday at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.
The three-day programme marked one of the biggest investments in optometry education in the region.
Speaking at the commissioning, the CEO of CharisHealth and facilitator of the OGS grant, Dr Anne Ebri Ekong, said the intervention was designed to strengthen optometry training at the university through world-class equipment, trainer support and community outreach.
She said the region continues to suffer from a severe shortage of optometrists despite a combined population of over 25 million people across Cross River, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Ebonyi states.
“This project aims to increase the number of qualified optometrists and tackle eye-health challenges, especially in communities where cultural beliefs stop people from seeking care,” she said, adding that at least 8,000 people are expected to benefit directly.
Dr Ekong noted that the clinic will serve both training needs and community health.
“Don’t say it’s students that will attend to you. We have qualified optometrists and senior lecturers providing services. Some of the equipment here are not available in certain teaching hospitals,” she said.
Registrar/CEO of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr Obinna Awiaka, described the project as a “historic investment” in Nigeria’s health sector and commended Dr Ekong for her transparency.
“This woman could have diverted the funds, but she chose to write her name in gold. Hundreds of millions have been invested in this community,” he said.
He urged the Akpabuyo Local Government to improve access roads and mobilise residents to utilise the facility. He also advised parents and youths to embrace optometry, which he described as one of the most sought-after professions globally.
The Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government, represented by Hon Effiong Bassey, applauded the initiative and assured partners of continuous government support.
At the induction ceremony for the new optometrists, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Joe Edet, hailed the milestone as a defining moment for the institution.
“Today is not just about completing a programme; it is a celebration of commitment, perseverance and character,” he said.
He added that choosing Transcorp Hotel for the ceremony reflects the university’s rising profile.
“Optometry is a calling. The responsibility you assume today goes beyond the classroom. The world needs dedicated and empathetic professionals,” he told the inductees.
Officials say the newly commissioned clinic houses high-end diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, some of which are not available in many Nigerian teaching hospitals.
With the commissioning of the clinic and the induction of its latest graduates, Arthur Jarvis University is positioning itself as a major hub for optometry training and eye-care services in the South-South.
Highlight of the event was the event was an award given to Dr Adams Brayn Akiba as the best graduating student Optometry for 2024/2025 academic year.
The event drew academics, health-sector leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders and students, who described the development as “a new dawn for eye health in the Niger Delta.”
