As the world prepares for the celebration of this year’s Christmas season, First City Monument Bank Plc (FCMB) in partnership with Tulsi Chanri Foundation has commenced the second phase of the Priceless Gift Programme.

This year’s activities like last year’s will see eye sight restored to another 600 Nigerians who are visually impaired in four different geographical zones of the country. The four designated cities are Calabar, Brinim-Kebbi, Owerri and Yola.

This intervention activity the bank said is part of its yearly Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme leveraging the joyous Christmas season to promote a cause that is essential to the social and economic development of vulnerable groups within our society.

The intervention which is a continuation of last year’s is focused on the promotion of free restoration of sight to the underprivileged in rural communities across the country.

Kenny Aliu, FCMB’s Group Head, Corporate Communications said “At FCMB, we believe in giving back to our communities. That is why during the festive seasons we give the Priceless Gift of sight to the underprivileged and vulnerable within our communities.

In partnership with Mission for Vision – Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, we are working hard to restore vision, reduce avoidable blindness, especially cataract, in rural parts of the country.”

The bank commenced the free restoration of sight in December 2009, when sight was also restored to 600 visually impaired persons in four geographical zones across the country. Also as part of activities marking the 2010 Children’s Day, FCMB organized free eye screening for over 5,000 pupils Ogun State.

Surgeries and the entire treatment which are performed free of charge has commence in the various centers in the four cities since November 22, and will be concluded in Brinin-Kebbi on December 4; Calabar on December 8; Owerri on December 17 and; Yola on December 29.