Nigerian Air Force Strengthens Operational Effectives Through World Optometry Day Commemoration In Lagos

Nigerian Air Force Strengthens Operational Effectives Through World Optometry Day Commemoration In Lagos

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through Logistics Command, on 9 April 2026 joined the nation and the international community in commemorating World Optometry Day with a sensitization lecture and health screening programme for personnel and their families at the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Mess Gym, Ikeja, Lagos. Held under the global theme “A Shared Vision,” the initiative aligned with the World Council of Optometry’s emphasis on expanding access to quality eye care, strengthening professional collaboration, and addressing emerging vision challenges worldwide. By actively participating in this important global health observance, the NAF once again demonstrated its commitment to international best practices in personnel welfare while projecting Nigeria’s defence institution as a responsible stakeholder in both local and international fora.

Flagging off the programme, the Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to promoting accessible and quality eye care for personnel and their families, particularly through glaucoma education and targeted screening for those aged 40 years and above. The initiative holds significant value for national security and development, as optimal visual health directly enhances alertness, situational awareness, aviation safety, engineering precision, and mission effectiveness across air operations. In today’s technology-driven battlespace, where speed, accuracy, and rapid decision-making are central to success, preserving the visual readiness of NAF personnel remains a strategic investment in operational capability, force protection, and the broader national security architecture.

In his remarks, the Commander 661 NAF Hospital, Air Commodore Adedoyin Simon Oyenusi, rightly underscored that in the military profession, good eyesight is indispensable to efficiency, safety, and peak performance. The lecture by Dr AA Bashir further reinforced the value of early diagnosis and prompt intervention, especially in the prevention and management of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of vision loss. This strategic focus on preventive eye health aligns with the command philosophy of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, which emphasizes smarter airpower delivery, innovation, and human capacity development as critical enablers of mission success. By institutionalising such healthcare initiatives, the NAF continues to strengthen human capacity, preserve operational excellence, and reinforce its contribution to Nigeria’s security and socio-economic development.