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| Cross of section of beneficiaries of the exercise |
By Oluwagbenga Bankole
In commemoration of the 70th birthday of the President of Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, the church organized a free eye care exercise that brought relief to hundreds of beneficiaries in Ibadan, Oyo State last weekend.
Over 300 individuals registered for the exercise, with 277 participants turning up. Of these, 92 were diagnosed with cataract and pterygium, and successful surgeries were carried out on them.
During the outreach, participants underwent vision tests, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, and received reading glasses and medications where necessary.
The two-day programme, held at CAC All Saints’ Chapel in collaboration with Eleta Eye Institute, was spearheaded by the Special Assistant to the CAC President, Pastor T.D. Asokeji, on behalf of the President of the Church.
According to Pastor Asokeji, the initiative was conceived as a way of giving back to members and the public by helping them assess their eye health and access necessary medical care. “Many people neglect their health until conditions become severe. This initiative serves as a timely intervention,” he said.
Initially designed for members of the Christ Apostolic Church with cataract-related challenges, the programme was later expanded to include anyone with visual impairments, after it was observed that several individuals without cataracts also needed urgent eye examinations.
Pastor Asokeji hopes the Church Authority will sustain this initiative , appreciating the CAC leadership and all partners who made the event a success.
Special appreciation was extended to Dr. Ajayi, Chief Medical Director of Ojulowo Eye Hospital, Mokola, for his exemplary leadership in coordinating the medical team.
Speaking on the medical aspect, Director of Community Ophthalmology, Rehabilitation, Innovation and Training at Eleta Eye Institute, Dr. Sarah Abraham, noted that cataract remains one of the leading causes of blindness in Nigeria, often linked to ageing, trauma, or systemic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
“Many people develop eye problems that could be prevented through regular screenings. A yearly comprehensive eye examination is crucial because diseases like glaucoma cause irreversible blindness if not detected early,” she advised.
Dr. Sarah Abraham also emphasized the importance of maintaining overall health through proper management of blood pressure and blood sugar levels, adequate rest for the eyes during screen time, and consistent use of prescribed medications after surgery.
CAC Director of Youth Affairs and Head of Logistics for the Organizing Committee, Pastor Peter Olanrewaju, highlighted the dual purpose of the outreach — addressing both physical and spiritual blindness.
“Our desire is not only to restore physical sight but also to open spiritual eyes. Until one receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, one remains spiritually blind,” he said.
Beneficiaries described the programme as a life-changing experience. Many of them expressed joy and gratitude to the church authority for sponsoring a procedure that typically costs around ₦250,000 per person.
Pastor Julius Olakunle of CAC Ajegunle, EbunOluwa Zone, said God took perfect control of the surgery, adding that;" as pastors, we need good eyesight to read and communicate effectively. I sincerely appreciate the Church Authority for organizing this wonderful programme.”
A staff of CAC General Secretariat who also benefitted from the outreach, Pastor E.O. Babalola said the surgery was stress-free.
He further added that the procedure would have cost about ₦250,000, but the church stepped in to help them, praying that the Lord will continue to bless His Church.
Another beneficiary from CAC Oke Iyanu, Sango, Mrs. Adedayo Adejoke Grace said;"I had been visiting Eleta Eye Institute for over a year but couldn’t proceed due to health reasons. I thank God for finally making it a reality through this initiative.”
Similarly, another beneficiary, Mrs. Kemi Ojo experience was both medical and miraculous:She explained that:"before the test at All Saints’ Chapel, I couldn’t walk properly for over a year. From the moment I entered the church, I began to walk well again. I cannot thank God enough.”
Conclusively, Mrs. Adeniyi Adesewa who also benefitted from the exercise expressed deep gratitude: “I’ve had eye challenges since childhood. It’s a great honour to be among the beneficiaries. I’m grateful to our President for this life-changing opportunity.”
The free medical exercise is one of several initiatives marking the CAC President’s 70th birthday reflects the church’s commitment to holistic ministry, addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of the people.
With testimonies of healing and hope from participants, the outreach stands as a remarkable example of the Church Authority’s dedication to community service and the well-being of its members.
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