Dr. (Mrs) Veronica Akuete
Dr (Mrs.) Veronica Akuete was born to Late Matthias Okonkwo and Mary Nwabuzor of Issele Mkpitime in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. She had her primary education at Emotan Primary School Benin City while her secondary school was the prestigious Federal Government Girls College Owerri (1977 – 1982).
Her West African School Certificate Examination result was remarkably outstanding as she bagged clear distinction in all her subjects. She proceeded to the University of Benin where she obtained the Bachelor of Science degree in Optometry in 1987. In her unrelenting quest to reach the pinnacle of her profession, she went back in 2001 to obtain the Doctor of Optometry degree.
Her career in Optometry spans over 28 years. She worked at Ikeja Medical Centre Lagos before opening her own practice – First Eye Clinic – in 1992 at Ogba, also in Lagos. First Eye Clinic is now an ultra-modern Eye Practice Clinic covering the Lagos metropolis with three offices at Ogba, Apapa and Festac Town. First Eye Clinic is a secondary health care provider to reputable Health Maintenance Organizations (NHIS approved) all over Lagos, partnering with them to deliver professional eye care services to both individuals and corporate organizations. Dr (Mrs.) Akuete has set high standards in the practice of Optometry inNigeria. She is giving so much back to the community and is nurturing the aspiration of future optometrists.
She is a distinguished member of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of Nigeria (ODOBN). She is a member of Save a Sight Foundation (formed by NOA Lagos), a non government organization whose aim is to detect and treat vision anomalies in school age children in public schools by training the teachers to recognise learning difficulties caused by impaired vision. She is also a member of Women Optometrists in Nigeria.
Veronica Akuete is one of the founding members of Rotary Club of Ogba Metropolis in Lagos. She has attended many continuing education programmes, workshops and seminars in Nigeria and abroad. She has been involved in Community Eye Health programme in her local community and has participated in various outreach programmes involving Rotary Club International and Save Sight Foundation where free glasses and drugs were given out to over 1000 people.
Akuete has been highly involved in industrial eye screening of staff of reputable international companies based in Nigeria since about 10 years ago. This has been an avenue to promote Preventive and Environmental Eye Care Delivery and to reduce cases of avoidable and/or irreversible blindness among such company workers. The effort has also helped in enlightening the various companies’ management and employees on the importance of vision safety in our industralised worked environment.
Dr (Mrs.) Veronica Akuete, a seasoned professional with over 28 years working experience, believes so much in her optometry profession and she says: “I couldn’t have done better elsewhere and I thank God for using me to touch lives and make a lot of people happier with healthier eyes.”
She has demonstrated a keen inclination to new research and innovative approaches to the practice of Optometry. A distinguished alumnus, an accomplished professional and visionary leader as well as an ardent Christian, Dr (Mrs.) Vero Akuete is married with two children.