A cross section of the beneficiaries of the Free Eye Cataract Surgery at the event.
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Chuks Udo Okonta
Premium Pension Limited as part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project has partnered a Non-governmental organisation Charity To Cheer Foundation to sponsored free eye cataract surgery to 200 aged and indigent persons at Gambo Sawaba Hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State.
A statement by the firm’s Head, Corporate Communications, Aliyu Mohammed Ali, the surgeries were done in 2 batches on March 6 and June 6, 2021.
In his remarks at the ceremony on June 6, 2021, to celebrate the success of the surgeries, the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli expressed his delight and immense gratitude to Premium Pension Limited for sponsoring the free eye cataract surgery. He further acknowledged the effort of the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Umar Sanda Mairami on the commitment, dedication and support he extended to Charity To Cheer Foundation in achieving this laudable initiative aimed at reducing hardship to the less privileged in the society. He called on companies, philanthropist, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for continued support in complimenting the effort of government at all levels in improving the lives of people in the areas of health, education and security.
His Royal Highness Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Premium Pension Limited Umar Sanda Mairami at the occasion.
Delivering his goodwill message at the event, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officerof Premium Pension Limited, Mr. Umar Sanda Mairami, said the sponsorship is in alignment with the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions, aimed at touching the lives of people at locations nationwide. He said “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of the Company’s corporate governance architecture for which we have won awards and it is a deliberate policy of the Company, as a responsible corporate entity, to help people in need and contribute to the development of the society”.
Mairami described the occasion as a memorable day not only in the journey of the Company in partnership with Charity To Cheer Foundation but to good things that happened to Zazzau emirate as a whole. He further buttressed the point and quoted from Medford Eye Centre “Your eyesight is one of your most important senses: 80% of what we perceive comes through our sense of sight.” He also commended the healthcare providers and other frontline professionals in their ongoing efforts to make available medical care to those inflicted with the cataract disease with a view to restoring sights as well as the Charity To Cheer Foundation for the laudable initiative.
The President of Charity To Cheer Foundation Dr. Maryam Shehu Mohammed commended the support of Premium Pension Limited for providing sponsorship of the project without any hesitation for the free cataract surgery. According to her, the beneficiaries were mostly senior citizens, who could not afford the cost of the surgery at a health facility. Dr. Maryam added that, the foundation is still seeking more support and collaborations from other key stakeholders to up-scale the programme,
Highlights of the important event comprised brief presentation on Eye care by the leader of the medical team and Consultant Ophthalmologist from College of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Dr. Faruk Garba, who described the project as rewarding, as a day after the surgery individuals can have restoration of vision evidenced by what was experienced during the clinic. He said, “Cataract can happen as part of normal ageing process as eventually most individuals will come down with cataract. He went on to say that the severity to the visionwill determine whether an individual will require a surgery or not.”
From left: Managing Director/CEO Premium Pension Limited Mr. Umar Sanda Mairami, President Charity To Cheer Foundation Dr. Maryam Shehu Mohammed, Emir of Zazzau Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli and Chairman Board of Directors of Kaduna Electric Company Mr. Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar OON, at the occasion.
Dr Faruk, therefore advised individuals with cataract to always seek help from eye care professionals. He commended the effort of Premium Pension Limited for sponsoring the free surgery, which strongly impacted on many elderly people especially those with financial challenge and are unable to get treatment.
Other dignitaries who attended the event and delivered goodwill messages are the Chairman of Kaduna Electric Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar OON, Chairman of Charity to Cheer Foundation and Madakin Zazzau Alhaji Munir Jaafaru and Chief Medical Director of Gambo Sawaba Hospital Dr. Augustine Ataodi among many other important invited guests.
