OPTOMETRISTS’ GUILD, AEA TARGET MSME COMMUNITY WITH EYE CARE AWARENESS
By: Emmanuel Tortiv.
In order to raise awareness on proper eye care and create more jobs by training Optometrists on best SME practices, the Management of Abuja Enterprise Agency has agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Guild of Optometric Directors of Nigeria (GOODON).
Speaking during a Courtesy Call on the Agency in Jahi by GOODON’s National Executive, AEA’s Ag. MD/CEO, Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, said the MoU will serve as a guide and tool that will assist in providing the services to artisans, the vulnerable, as well as the entire MSME Ecosystem
He said the Agency will continue to support entrepreneurs to overcome obstacles to growth and also stimulate sustainable business ventures in the FCT.
While reassuring GOODON Executive of the willingness of the Management of AEA to collaborate, Dr. Chudi said health care for the eyes is not something anyone can take for granted.
He told the leadership of GOODON that “eye health is not something that anybody would want to joke with. For us we understand the need for even entrepreneurs to be in a good state of eye health. If they don’t know, they don’t know and will be exposed.”
“My common sense knowledge tells me that there are some diseases that are preventable. Preventable eye conditions like glaucoma, if detected on time may be stopped or prevented from degenerating.
“Beyond glaucoma, there are so many others that experts like you are aware which we don’t know. And if we don’t relate with you and you don’t relate with our entrepreneurs, we never can tell what happens down the road. But it is not in anybody’s interest to be ignorant. Knowledge is power and is key to anyone’s ability to run a business in a profitable manner.” Stated the Ag. MD.
Earlier in his presentation, GOODON President, Dr. Adesuwa Agbontaen while acknowledging the critical role played by AEA in enterprise development and social economic empowerment in FCT said their visit was centered on entrepreneurial development in eye care.
According to him, “many of our members manage SMEs in clinics that fall within the scope and mandate of your Agency. We seek to explore ways the Agency can support optometry businesses in capacity building, access to finance and digital transformation.”
He said with the support of AEA, GOODON was convinced that the collaboration will contribute to employment generation of jobs such as Optometry Assistants, Vision Technicians, Dispensers and so on for many young people in the eye care health sector.
He requested for the participation of GOODON in enterprise programmes that feature expos and outreach campaigns that will carry optometry SMEs along.
Abuja Digest Online reports that GOODON as an organization is focused on promoting leadership and development of optometry entrepreneurs in Nigeria with a high-level target of increasing their present nationwide membership from 1000 to 5000 members in 2027.
