Newspaper dristributors rejoice as Vanguard donates eye glasses

…LG boss says CSR worthy of emulation

By Chioma Obinna & Olasunkami Akoni

Chairman of Ikeja Local Government Area, Akeem Dauda, has urged organisations and other media establishments to emulate the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiative of Vanguard Media Limited, describing it as “laudable and worthy of emulation.”

Dauda made the call, yesterday, while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the distribution of free eyeglasses to members of the Newspapers and Magazines Distributors’ Association of Nigeria, NDAN, Ikeja Zone.

The exercise was a follow-up to Vanguard’s free medical outreach, held last month, which provided hundreds of newspaper distributors and residents in the area with comprehensive health checks, specialist consultations, awareness sessions, and free prescription drugs.

“This is a wonderful and laudable CSR programme, worthy of emulation,” Dauda said. “We as a government cannot do it alone because our resources are limited. What we are trying to do is to see how we can partner with corporate organisations like Vanguard as part of our developmental agenda to reach out to the masses in Ikeja. This is a clarion call to other media houses and organisations to emulate Vanguard in giving back to society.”

The distribution of over 50 eyeglasses to beneficiaries on Tuesday drew leaders and members of the distribution network, who described the gesture as unprecedented in the industry. The newly elected President of NDAN, Ikeja Zone, Mr. Shomoni Fatai, expressed delight at Vanguard’s intervention, saying it was a “marvelous” initiative that would improve the lives of distributors. “This is one thing that has never happened in the industry. We are so thankful to Vanguard for this great thing they have done in our zone. We pray that other media houses will emulate them,” he said.

Also speaking, the newly elected chairman of the Press Union, Newspaper and Social Organization of Nigeria, Ikeja Zone, Mr. Somorin Pachai, explained that the eyeglasses were the result of tests conducted during last month’s outreach. “The people who took part in the medical checks are today collecting their glasses. This is not just a one-off, and we don’t want it to stop here,” he said, adding that the Ikeja Local Government chairman had promised to sustain the effort by organizing similar programmes for residents.’

On his part, the Vice Chairman of NDAN, Mr. Prince Eze, testified to the personal impact of the initiative, noting that it had boosted his productivity. “In our industry, we must read to educate others. But before, it was difficult for me to read small print. Now, with the glasses Vanguard provided, I can read even tiny letters. This has boosted my confidence and productivity,” he said. He added that the impact went beyond eyesight, as the earlier medical outreach had also enabled members to check their overall health conditions.

Beneficiaries, who turned out in large numbers, prayed for the continued success of Vanguard and called on other organisations to adopt similar initiatives to support the welfare of newspaper distributors and the communities they serve.

Vanguard Technical Consultant, Mr Patrick Oduone said the exercise revealed a growing demand for affordable eye care beyond the target group of vendors.

“This marks the second time Vanguard is extending such support to vendors in Lagos, underscoring our commitment to improving access to eye care among underserved groups. We discovered that many Lagos residents, passersby, artisans, and even non-state staff, came forward pleading to be included.

“We had no choice but to accommodate them. As a result, we will now make extra provision at each exercise to ensure that more people in need can benefit.

“At every point, we try to make space for anyone who genuinely requires the services, this is one of the key lessons we’ve learned. For many of the beneficiaries, the free glasses are more than just a medical aid, they are tools that will improve productivity, restore confidence, and enhance quality of life,” Oduone affirmed.

Beneficiaries prayed for the continued success of Vanguard and urged other organisations to adopt similar initiatives to support the welfare of newspaper distributors and the communities they serve.

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