Martins Ifijeh
First City Monument Bank (FCMB), the flagship of FCMB Group Plc is again this year set to offset the medical bills of over 400 Nigerians affected by cataract and other eye diseases, nationwide. By way of medical examinations, eye surgeries, provision of medication and eye glasses, beneficiaries will include indigent Nigerians-the underprivileged and senior citizens, drawn from all Regions of the Federation.
In partnership with a team of eye doctors and experts from India under the umbrella organisation-Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF), the lender institution said the services are free of charge to Nigerians and are without conditions attached as long as the prospective patient can find his/her way to either the Center in Calabar, Cross-River State for all in the South and Kebbi in Kebbi State for patients in Northern Nigeria. With out-patient screening taking place on Mondays and Thursdays and surgeries on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the one month activity effectively commences on the 9th of May and comes to an end on the 29th of May 2016.
FCMB stated that the passion to help restore sight is motivated by its desire to contribute towards national development. The Bank is not just in business to make profit but is also fully concerned with the need to positively affect and impact the community. “When it is well with the people, it is well with the nation”, the Bank said in a release made available to THISDAY.
Speaking to the Media at its Corporate Head Office in Lagos, the Group Head, of Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Mr. Diran Olojo said, “The project tagged, “Priceless Gift of Sight” is a social service initiative FCMB has continuously sponsored for 7 years in a row. It is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals’ aspect of ‘health for all’ campaign. It also fundamentally aligns with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillar of Poverty Alleviation. How well we also positively affect the people in the communities where we do business, is a major concern of our Executive Management, Mr. Olojo stated.
Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Col Prasad who is the Chief Operating Officer of Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF) said, “We thank FCMB for being generous to give us sponsorship for 400 eye surgeries this year despite the economic crisis. TCF will remain grateful to your esteemed organisation. We remain greatly indebted to your Bank for your kind and generous support towards the noble cause of eliminating and reducing the scourge of avoidable blindness thereby giving the gift of sight to many underprivileged people across the country.”
Besides restoring sight to thousands of Nigerians nationwide, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has over the years, promoted environmental sustainability including sponsoring tree planting in its campaign against deforestation, inspired and granted micro-loans to thousands of women-owned small businesses, donated to widows, empowered youths, championed community development projects, constructed bridges, awarded scholarships to indigent citizens, adopted schools where buildings have been donated, libraries fortified with books and ICT infrastructure established. All these projects have been executed in a bid to demonstrate its commitment to nation building and socio-economic development.
