Chinedum Elekwachi
Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo has given free multivitamin supplements to over 26,000 elderly persons in Anambra state to support their healthy aging.
The governor’s wife who provided the supplements under her pet project, Healthy Living Initiative also awarded lifetime scholarships to brilliant indigent children in the state.
Addressing newsmen in Awka on Monday, Commissioner for Health and Coordinator of the Initiative, Dr. Afam Obidike disclosed that 1,000 persons with disabilities were freely enrolled into the State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring equity and inclusiveness.
He said the governor’s wife, as Insecticide Treated Net (ITN) Ambassador by Malaria Consortium, distributed over 3.8 million free ITNs to most households in the state, increasing net use from 27 to 57 percent.
According to Obidike, Mrs Soludo secured strategic partnership with Nigerian First Lady, Sen Oluremi Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Initiative, unlocking opportunities for thousands of people of the state.
Special skills for 6000 women
He said over 6000 applicants across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state were captured under the skilled women training programme on special skills mainly dominated by male.
The Commissioner described the achievements as not abstract or promises, but real, measurable and verifiable.
He said the feats touched all categories of individuals including mothers, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
“From inception, Her Excellency has consistently demonstrated that the health and wellbeing of Ndi Anambra must remain a top priority.
“Today, we are here to present the tangible results that have touched lives and are already making measurable impact across the State.
“Thousands of women have benefited from free cervical cancer screening and treatment, giving hope where there was despair.
“Children born with cleft lips and palates now smile with dignity, thanks to free corrective surgeries.
“Our State has witnessed statewide free vaccination campaigns against Rotavirus, Measles, and Polio, safeguarding the future of our children.
“Over 14,000 Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap have been distributed to malnourished children across PHCs, with recovery rates surpassing 50%.
Anti-shock garments
According to Dr Obidike, “Anti-shock garments are now available to save mothers from preventable deaths during childbirth.
“Pad Banks in over 350 secondary schools, girls no longer have to miss classes due to menstrual challenges, ensuring menstrual dignity.
“The First Lady has reached out through orphanages and special homes visitation, showing compassion to the most vulnerable.
“Like Mother Teresa, Mrs. Soludo does not seek applause. She seeks impact. Her programs are not driven by headlines, but by heartbeats – the heartbeat of a malnourished child, the silent cry of a girl without sanitary pads, the quiet dignity of an elderly woman receiving her first multivitamin, hope of a youth to learn a skill.
“Healthy Living Clubs was inaugurated in more than 800 primary and secondary schools, embedding a culture of wellness among our young people.
“Activities done include- Healthy Living Cooking Programme, Quiz & Cooking Competitions these have helped educate families on proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
“Over 15,000 packs of hybrid seeds have been freely distributed to encourage home gardens and food security.
“The Healthy Living Schools Garden Competition has nurtured agricultural innovation among our students.
Healthy living campaign
“Through market and school outreaches, awareness of healthy living has spread across urban and rural communities alike.
“These achievements are not abstract or promises—they are real, measurable, and verifiable. They touch mothers, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indeed every community.
“No wonder she won the First Lady of the year in Nigeria on Healthcare and Child Nutrition due to her contribution in health.
“Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) conferred on her honorary doctorate degree on public health and child nutrition.
“What we see here is a First Lady who has redefined service, who has used her platform not for personal gain but for the upliftment of every Anambra man, woman, and child.
“Mrs. Nonye Soludo may not wear a habit or walk the streets of Calcutta, but in the markets of Onitsha, the schools of Aguleri, and the homes of NDI Anambra, her presence is felt.
“Her legacy is being written — not in stone, but in the lives she lifts. In her, we see the making of another Mother Teresa.
“We see the kind of leadership that heals. In her, we see the soul of Anambra,” Obidike submitted.
