JOKE SILVA UNVEILED AS BRAND AMBASSADOR AS EYE BANK URGES NIGERIANS TO DONATE CORNEAS

By Inemesit Ebu

The Board of Governors of the Eye Bank For Restoring Sight in Nigeria has called on Nigerians to donate their corneas before death to help restore sight to those living with corneal blindness.

The Chairman, Dr. Festus Odunaya Oshoba, made the call on Thursday, August 20, at the MRC Boardroom, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, during the unveiling ceremony of veteran actress and media icon, Ms. Joke Silva, as Brand Ambassador of the Eye Bank.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Oshoba said several Nigerians have benefited from the activities of the Eye Bank For Restoring Sight in Nigeria.

In his testimony, Mr. Raphael Oguntibeju said he had a cornea transplant in Nigeria, facilitated by the Eye Bank at LASUTH. He expressed joy, saying he still sees very well, reads his Bible, and can even count the pieces of meat in his food.

The Chief Medical Director, Dr. Mosunmade Faderin, also shared testimonies of other beneficiaries who are still using their sight effectively.

On August 10, 2010, Nigeria recorded its first family cornea donation to the Eye Bank. Lion Sodipo Kunle, brother to the deceased donor, narrated how his late brother donated his cornea before his death in 2010. He said, he invited the Medical Director and her team to remove the brother’s cornea as soon as he passed, to respect his wish, since he donated before passing. Corneas are removed within 24 hours of a dead person. He appealed to Nigerians to donate their corneas to help those who are going blind. He confirmed that he has also registered to donate his cornea upon his passing.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of Ms. Joke Silva as Brand Ambassador of the Eye Bank For Restoring Sight in Nigeria by Dr. Oshoba, Chairman of the Board of Governors.

In her remarks, an elated Ms. Silva described the appointment as timely and pledged to use her platform to promote cornea donation and change negative perceptions about the program.

“It is high time Nigerians started thinking of what they can contribute to change the narrative of the country’s image in a positive light. What the Board of the Eye Bank is doing is highly commendable and should be supported to help those with sight impairment,” she said.

On collaboration, Dr. Oshoba said, “We are collaborating and cooperating at all times with the National Council for the Blind and other governmental and non-governmental agencies to achieve our goals.”

Dr. Faderin added that through sustained collaboration, innovation, and public support, the Eye Bank for Restoring Sight in Nigeria continues to affirm its mission of restoring sight and renewing hope.

The Eye Bank’s vision is a continuous process of harvesting, processing, and storage so that Nigerians with corneal blindness can regain their sight through cornea graft, Keratoplasty.

The Eye Bank for Restoring Sight in Nigeria is a CAC-registered corporate body saddled with the responsibility to promote the donation, collection, storage, and use of transplantable corneas to reduce blindness caused by diseased or damaged corneas.

Dignitaries Present present at the event wereDr. Festus Odunaya Oshoba, Chairman, Board of Governors; Dr. Mosunmade Faderin, Medical Director; Dr. Bamidele Ayodele, representing the Chief Medical Director, LASUTH; Dr. Abonsade Lydia Mabinuola; Mrs. Fola Akande; Mr. Raphael Oguntibeju, beneficiary; Lion Sodipo Kunle; and Ms. Joke Silva, Brand Ambassador.