By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
October 10, 2025(Series News Online)
The Kebbi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with the Hope Alive Initiative for Special Needs and Vulnerable Persons, has successfully concluded its World Sight Day 2025 outreach. The activities, held under the theme "Love Your Eyes," aimed to raise awareness about the importance of eye care and the dangers of harmful traditional practices.
NOA Kebbi State Director, Muhammed Nasir Karofi, while reviewing the success of the campaign, reiterated the core message: "Our goal was to pivot the public from harmful misconceptions toward professional care. The successful execution of these events reinforces the critical need for regular eye checkups and the correction of refractive errors, which remains our most powerful tool against avoidable blindness."
The campaign included a live, interactive radio discussion program, which uncovered significant challenges in local eye health behavior. Callers revealed widespread sight issues affecting numerous people across the state and disturbingly, several confessed to using traditional and often harmful remedies, including direct application of petrol and herbal remedies into the eyes.
A school visitation session was also conducted at the Atiku Bagudu Science Model Primary School, where students showcased remarkable enthusiasm and presented creative displays highlighting the importance of eye health. The NOA Director engaged the students and teachers on the essential benefits of regular eye checkups, emphasizing the need to observe students who may have difficulty reading the blackboard or exhibit other allergic symptoms.
The Chairman of the Hope Alive Initiative for Special Needs and Vulnerable Persons, who is visually impaired, used his personal story to encourage the children to speak up about their eye health, assuring them that prevention and early detection can save their sight and make life easier.
The NOA Kebbi State Directorate and its partners strongly urge all residents to immediately cease the use of any traditional or harmful substances in their eyes and instead book a comprehensive eye examination at the nearest professional clinic. "Our eyes are too precious to be entrusted to dangerous practices. Let us all 'Love Our Eyes' through safe, evidence-based care," Mr. Karofi concluded.
The event also highlighted the importance of measles rubella vaccination in preventing avoidable vision impairment. The Head of Department of Health Social Care, Amina Kabir Ahmed, presented talks on the ongoing Measles Rubella integrated vaccination campaign across Kebbi State.
Tags
World Sight Day