…LG Chairman hails CSR, urges emulation
By Chioma Obinna & Olasunkanmi Akoni
IKEJA — The Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), has commended Vanguard Media Limited for donating free eyeglasses to members of the Newspapers and Magazines Distributors’ Association of Nigeria (NDAN), Ikeja Zone, describing the gesture as “laudable and worthy of emulation.”
Dauda, who was Special Guest of Honour at the event, said the initiative reflects true corporate social responsibility (CSR) and urged other organisations, especially media houses, to emulate Vanguard.
“This is a wonderful and laudable CSR programme,” he said. “Government alone cannot meet all the needs of the people because our resources are limited. Partnering with organisations like Vanguard is essential to our developmental agenda to reach out to the masses. This is a clarion call to other media houses and organisations to give back to society.”
The distribution of more than 50 eyeglasses on Tuesday followed Vanguard’s medical outreach last month, where hundreds of distributors and residents benefitted from health checks, consultations, awareness sessions, and free prescription drugs.
Leaders of the distribution network hailed the exercise as unprecedented in the industry. The President of NDAN, Ikeja Zone, Mr. Shomoni Fatai, expressed delight: “This is marvelous. It has never happened before in our industry. We thank Vanguard and pray other media houses emulate them.”
The Chairman of the Press Union, Newspaper and Social Organization of Nigeria, Ikeja Zone, Mr. Somorin Pachai, explained that the eyeglasses were prescribed based on tests conducted during the earlier outreach. He added that the Ikeja LG chairman had pledged to sustain the effort by supporting similar programmes for residents.
For many beneficiaries, the initiative was life-changing. Vice Chairman of NDAN, Mr. Prince Eze, said: “In our industry, we must read to educate others. Before, it was difficult for me to read small print. Now I can read even tiny letters. This has boosted my confidence and productivity.”
Vanguard’s Technical Consultant, Mr. Patrick Oduone, said the initiative had shown the pressing need for affordable eye care beyond the vendor community.
“This is the second time Vanguard is extending this support in Lagos,” he said. “We found that artisans, residents, and even non-vendors came forward asking to be included. We had to accommodate them. Going forward, we’ll make extra provision at each exercise so more people can benefit. For many, the free glasses are not just medical aids, but tools to improve productivity, restore confidence, and enhance quality of life.”
Beneficiaries, who turned out in large numbers, offered prayers for Vanguard’s continued success and called on other organisations to adopt similar CSR initiatives to support newspaper distributors and their communities.
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