Optometrists’ Registrar Vows To Flush Out Quacks

The Registrar, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board Of Nigeria (ODORBN), Dr Obinna Edwin Awiaka has restated his resolve to restructure the Board and improve the quality of eye care services in Nigeria.

At a press briefing in Abuja to mark his 100 days in office, the Registrar vowed to partner security agencies and stakeholders to rid the optical industry of quacks.

Awiaka while reeling out achievements of the Board since his assumption of office said the Board has successfully inducted over 281 inductees into tertiary institutions across the country.

“We have also inducted Optometry graduands, some of whom have stayed home for over two years. Also, we successfully brokered peace with the Management of Imo State University, Owerri which led to the withdrawal of lawsuit against the Board.”

He further revealed that through revenue drive, the Board has doubled the internally generated revenue (IGR) in the 3rd Quarter of 2023, compared to 1st , 2nd and 3rd Quarter of previous year.

“We have officially reduced the time of process licenses to 48hours, and also begun the process to fully digitalise the Agency’s operations.

As part of the event, the Registrar unveiled the new logo of the Board, redesigned licenses of the ODORBN and professional seal and stamp. He said the licenses, seal and stamp will help to check the activities of quacks in the industry.

Also speaking, President, Guild of Optometric Directors of Nigeria, Dr Adesuwa Agbontaen, in his goodwill message expressed delight with the achievements of the Registrar in 100 days.

He said; “We are excited because a lot of the things you have said you will do and doing coincides with some of our objectives. One of the objectives is to have high professional and standard practices in Nigeria that are thriving, so that we can do much more. We identify with you in the area of abolishing quackery and seals, and making licenses and seals that identify professional standards.

Agbontaen who thanked the staff for the support given to the Registrar, assured of the Guild’s continued support for the Board in the transformation drive.

On his part, former president of Association of Nigeria Dispensing Opticians, David Mallim also stressed the need to eliminate quackery in the profession, adding that one of the areas is to provide licences to practitioners in the country in order to raise the bar of the profession high.

Also speaking, President, Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA) Dr Chimeziri Anderson in his remark commended the Board and the laudable achievements under the leadership of the Registrar, Dr Edwin Awiaka.

“I am happy we are experiencing these developments. The issue of different licensing and arrangement to organize internship is a very welcome development. We are calling on the government to help centralise placing of intents, so people don’t need to start scouting for places of internship.”

Anderson pledged NOA’s maximum support and cooperation to the Board to fulfill its objectives.