March 11, (THEWILL) — Residents of Edo State are set to benefit from 100 free cataract surgeries and other vision care services under a medical outreach programme organised by the Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa Foundation (OLEEF) in partnership with the Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation.
The two-day programme, to be held from March 12 to 13, 2026, will provide free eye examinations, surgeries, and corrective glasses for beneficiaries across communities in the state.
In a joint statement by organisers, the initiative seeks to improve access to quality eye care for vulnerable and underserved populations, while tackling the growing burden of avoidable blindness caused by cataracts and other preventable eye conditions.
Signed by Pastor Sylvester Ebhodaghe on behalf of the Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa Foundation, the statement informed that the outreach will take place at Madona Hall, St. Paul Catholic Church, 30 Airport Road, Benin City, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day.
In addition to the 100 free cataract surgeries, the programme will also distribute 100 free prescription glasses to schoolchildren and 200 free reading glasses to adults suffering from vision impairment.
The organisers said the humanitarian initiative is being organised in honour of Her Royal Highness, Oloi (Queen) Evbagharu Erediauwa (the Obarisiuwa N’Erie), one of the wives of His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, who passed away on August 20, 2016.
They noted that the Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa Foundation was established years later to preserve and celebrate the late queen’s legacy of compassion, service, and dedication to the well-being of communities.
Since its inception, the foundation has implemented various programmes to uplift the less privileged, including educational support for underprivileged children, empowerment initiatives for rural women, and advocacy programmes promoting the welfare and development of the girl child.
The statement added that the free cataract surgery and eye care outreach further reflects the foundation’s commitment to humanitarian service and to the ideals of love, empathy and generosity which the late Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa embodied throughout her lifetime.
Medical procedures during the programme will be carried out by a team of qualified ophthalmologists and volunteers led by the Chief Surgeon, Dr Mejuya Okorodudu.
The members of the public have been encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to access free medical evaluation, treatment, and surgeries during the outreach.
