CHINAZA OSIGWE
The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has continued to garner recognition for her relentless promotion of healthy living across the state, transforming what started as a modest campaign into a formidable movement with statewide impact.
Since the assumption of office by her husband three years ago, Mrs Soludo has actively led a campaign through her NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, urging citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles. Her efforts began with mobilising women and youths for regular exercise sessions, which she personally led every weekend, demonstrating commitment beyond advocacy.
Her mission soon expanded into advocating for healthier eating habits. She emphasised the dangers of processed foods and encouraged the consumption of organic produce. One of her practical steps was urging women to establish backyard gardens, a move she said would not only lower food costs but also guarantee access to nutritious meals.
Recently, Mrs. Soludo launched a School Community Garden Programme, flagged off at the Post Primary School Service Commission (PPSSC), to instil agricultural values in students. She encouraged schools to grow vegetables like green peppers and leafy greens on their premises, emphasising that children could benefit nutritionally and financially from the harvests. Part of the produce, she added, could be channelled towards supporting less privileged members of society.
Speaking at the launch, she said, “Healthy living must be our culture and a way of life. When you eat natural, healthy food, you reduce your chances of sickness. Students sleeping in class are often reacting to synthetic food. Let us guide our children to grow their own food and learn the importance of charity”.
She also added menstrual hygiene to her health advocacy, distributing sanitary pads to female students to promote dignity and reduce school absenteeism due to menstruation-related issues.
In a major stride towards tackling child malnutrition, Mrs. Soludo introduced a food product known as Nonye Healthy Living Pap, a brand of kwash pap developed in collaboration with nutritionists. Distributed free of charge, the pap has so far benefited over 12,000 malnourished children in Anambra State.
During a stakeholders’ meeting on measles and rubella vaccination, she said, “No child should die of malnutrition in Anambra when we can do something”.
Further, she used the platform to advocate for child immunisation. She praised the introduction of the combined measles and rubella vaccine, but advised schools not to vaccinate children without parental consent. Instead, she proposed a system where only children with proof of full vaccination would be enrolled.
Mrs. Soludo’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Her work recently earned her an honorary doctorate in Public Health and Nutrition from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), during the university’s convocation ceremony in Igbariam. The Vice Chancellor, Prof Kate Omenugha, described the award as part of the Ojukwu Legacy Award, bestowed on those who have made exceptional contributions to society.
Mrs. Soludo continues to break new ground in the health advocacy space, expanding her product line to include a brand of semovita, which she proudly introduced at a recent stakeholder meeting, further proving her commitment to practical and sustainable health solutions for the people of Anambra State.