The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the standards and practice of Optometry in Nigeria. As part of this effort, the NOA President, Dr. Anderson Chimeziri, ably represented by the National Financial Secretary, Dr Genevieve Inno Nwakpuda went on a courtesy visit alongside the Nigerian Postgraduate College of Optometrists (NPCO) to the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Prof. Maxwell Ogbolu.
The visit aimed to appreciate the Vice Chancellor’s support for the growth of Optometry, particularly the approval of the upgrade of the Optometry department to a Faculty.
Dr. Chimeziri noted, that this Faculty of Optometry in Abia State University is a ground breaking and land mark achievement of the present Vice chancellor that will place him in the analls of history of development of Optometry in Nigeria.
He remarked that this singular act ,will give Abia State University a global recognition and urged other Optometry Training universities to follow this bold example of Abia State University.
The visit was part of the activities leading to the NPCO induction ceremony, which took place on June 7th, 2024, at the Abia State University auditorium, Uturu.
At the induction ceremony, the Abia State Commissioner for Health, represented by the Permanent Secretary, highlighted that 16% of the state’s budget was allocated to health and spoke about the massive structural and institutional modeling of Abia state health facilities.
The representative of the Education Ministry commended the college of Medicine and health sciences of the University for nurturing the credible training of health care professionals in the University.
The Chief Medical Director of Abia State Specialist Hospital praised the college of medicine and health sciences and requested that the Optometry post graduate Fellowship program be fully institutionalized.
The President of the Nigeria Post Graduate College of Optometry, Professor Franklin Kio, spoke on the milestones of the college and charged the new inductees, now consultants specialists, to add value to their practice.
Other speakers at the event included the Deputy Registrar of the Optometry Post graduate Fellowship college, Prof. Ahuama, Abia State Governor’s Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Obasi, and Prof. Lawrence Chigbu, a Medical Microbiologist, who delivered the keynote speech on Non Communicable Diseases, Their Clinical Significance in Eye Care and Vision Research.
Ten new Consultant (Specialist) Optometrists from Primary Care Optometry, Orthoptics as well as Low Vision and Rehabilitation were inducted.
The Scientific education series which followed the induction ceremony, was held at Rapha Hotel, Umuahia, with insightful presentations by Dr.Anya Kalu, a consultant ophthalmologistvand Dr. Andrew Omaka on Advances in Non-Communicable Eye Diseases.
The event was concluded with a gala night at same venue.
