The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa has restated the Assembly’s readiness to partner relevant organizations in ensuring speedy development of the State.
RT. Hon. Emeruwa who stated this in his office when he received the leadership of the Nigerian Optometric Association LOC Members, lauded them for complimenting the state government efforts in improving the eye healthcare services in the state and pledged the support of the House towards ensuring the successful hosting of the NOA forthcoming 48th National Conference and Vision Expo slated to hold in Abia at the International Conference Centre Umuahia from the 23rd to 26th of July.
Contributing, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Augustine Okezie, noted that the State House of Assembly shares in the aspirations of the association and its members which is to bring improved eye care services closer to the citizens and enjoined them to sustain the tempo.
In their remarks, the Member representing Obingwa West State constituency, Elder Uchenna Erondu, that of Bende North State constituency, Dr Nnamdi Ibekwe and their Isiala Ngwa South counterpart, Hon. Chief Rowland Dennis, charged the association to come up with ideas that will address issues of brain drain in the profession and health sector generally as well as develop home grown approach to Optometric challenges across the nation.
They lauded the NOA, Abia State Chapter for parading core professionals in their profession who have the capacity to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.
In her address earlier, the Chairman, Nigerian Optometric Association Abia State Chapter, Dr Onyedikachi Ogbonna, appreciated the Speaker for the Opportunity and intimated him and other House Members about the 48th National conference of the Association to be hosted in Abia State from 23rd July to 26th July 2025.
Also Speaking, the LOC Chairman, Dr Joy Alozie, appreciated Governor Alex Otti for the good work he is doing in the Eye sector especially the renovation and retrofitting of General hospital facilities and Abia Specialist hospital Umuahia where currently, free 1,000 Cataract screening and surgeries is ongoing.
Dr Alozie also thanked the Governor for appointing two Optometrists in his cabinets, Dr Betty Emeka Obasi and Dr Maureen Aghukwa.
She further explained that the scientific conference is important to train optometrists to meet up with the demand of eye care in Nigeria, as the issue of brain drain is reducing the man power on ground.
The LOC Chairman used the opportunity to invite the Speaker and other House Members to the 48th National conference of Nigeria Optometric Association coming up on the 23rd to 26th of July 2025, also solicited for assistance to enable the Association host their conference successfully in the state.
