By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to personnel welfare and operational readiness with the commemoration of World Optometry Day through a sensitisation lecture and eye health screening for its personnel and their families in Lagos.
The programme, organised by the Logistics Command of the Nigerian Air Force, was held on April 9, 2026, at the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Mess Gym in Ikeja and formed part of activities marking the global observance of World Optometry Day.
The event was conducted under the theme “A Shared Vision,” in line with the global focus championed by the World Council of Optometry on expanding access to quality eye care, strengthening collaboration among professionals, and addressing emerging vision challenges around the world.
The initiative underscored the Air Force’s alignment with international health standards and best practices while demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its personnel and their families.
Speaking at the event, the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Abubakar Abdul Suleh, reiterated the service’s determination to promote accessible and high-quality eye care across the force, particularly through awareness and screening for glaucoma among personnel aged 40 years and above.
He emphasised that maintaining optimal visual health is critical to the effectiveness of military operations, noting that clear eyesight plays a vital role in ensuring alertness, situational awareness, aviation safety, engineering precision and overall mission success.
According to him, in an increasingly technology-driven operational environment where speed, accuracy and rapid decision-making are crucial, preserving the visual readiness of personnel remains a strategic investment in operational capability and force protection.
Also speaking at the programme, the Commander of the 661 Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Adedoyin Simon Oyenusi, stressed the importance of good eyesight in the military profession, describing it as indispensable to efficiency, safety and peak performance.
He noted that the health outreach formed part of broader efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare within the service while ensuring personnel remain physically fit to carry out their duties effectively.
A lecture delivered during the event by Dr. A.A. Bashir highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and timely medical intervention in the prevention and management of glaucoma, a condition widely recognised as one of the leading causes of vision loss.
The programme also reflects the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, which prioritises smarter airpower delivery, innovation and human capacity development as essential drivers of mission effectiveness.
By institutionalising health-focused initiatives such as the World Optometry Day programme, the Nigerian Air Force continues to strengthen the welfare of its personnel, enhance operational readiness and reinforce its contribution to national security and development.
