Admin I Tuesday, Sept 23, 2025
AWKA, Anambra – The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, has lauded the State’s First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, as a virtuous and compassionate woman dedicated to improving the lives of Ndi Anambra through her flagship Healthy Living Initiative.
Dr. Obidike made this declaration on Monday at Lighthouse Awka during a briefing with journalists, highlighting the numerous achievements of Dr. Nonye Soludo in her role as First Lady.
According to the commissioner, Mrs. Soludo’s accomplishments resonate deeply, embodying timeless compassion and dedication that remind Ndi Anambra of the transformative power of genuine humanitarian service.
He described her as a woman with the heart of Anambra, quietly yet firmly establishing herself as a figure of positive change within the state.
Dr. Obidike likened her humility, grace, and commitment to service to the legacy of one of the world’s most revered humanitarians, Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Quoting Mother Teresa, he said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
He said in this spirit, the First Lady is making a profound impact through what may appear as small acts of kindness, but performed with enormous love and dedication.
“This philosophy is alive and well in Dr. Nonye Soludo’s Healthy Living Initiative, which has become a lifeline for thousands across Anambra State. Since its inception, Her Excellency has consistently prioritized the health and wellbeing of Ndi Anambra, and today we present tangible results that reflect measurable and significant impact throughout the state,” he stated.
Dr. Obidike said that Mrs. Soludo does not seek accolades or public applause; rather, she strives for meaningful, life-changing impact.
According to him,her programmes are driven not by headlines but by the heartbeat,the heartbeat of a malnourished child, the silent cry of a young girl lacking sanitary products, the quiet dignity of an elderly woman receiving her first multivitamin, and the hope of youth learning vital skills.
The commissioner highlighted several key achievements under her leadership, including,Appointment as ITN Ambassador by the Malaria Consortium, resulting in the free distribution of over 3.8 million Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) to households across Anambra, providing critical protection against malaria the leading cause of death among children and mothers,Establishment of Healthy Living Clubs in more than 800 primary and secondary schools, fostering a culture of wellness and healthy habits among young people through cooking programs, quizzes, and competitions that educate families on nutrition and health,Provision of free cervical cancer screening and treatment to thousands of women, offering hope and improved health outcomes ,Offering free corrective surgeries to children born with cleft lips and palates, restoring their smiles and dignity,Implementation of statewide free vaccination campaigns against Rotavirus, Measles, and Polio, safeguarding the health of the state’s children and Distribution of over 14,000 packets of Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap to malnourished children in Primary Health Centers, with recovery rates exceeding 50%, and introduction of anti-shock garments to prevent maternal deaths during childbirth.
Dr. Obidike also noted the First Lady’s outreach to orphanages and special homes, exemplifying her commitment to the most vulnerable members of society. He further highlighted her engagement with community youth across all 21 LGAs, inspiring countless young people to pursue healthy, productive lives.
He underscored the Anambra State Skilled Women Training Program, which empowers women by training them in traditional, male-dominated skills such as solar engineering, paint manufacturing, and Keke mechanics.
He added that to date, over 6,000 applications have been received, with more than 100 women already trained.
Mrs. Soludo’s Pad Banks initiative has been established in over 350 secondary schools, ensuring that no girl misses class due to menstrual challenges.
He further disclosed that more than 26,000 elderly citizens have received free multivitamin supplements to promote healthy aging, alongside dignity kits distributed during flooding emergencies.
According to him,the Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Initiative has enrolled over 1,000 persons with disabilities into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusiveness.
Furthermore, he said that the First Lady has awarded lifetime scholarships to brilliant but indigent children across the state, fostering educational opportunity.
In an effort to promote food security and backyard farming, he noted that Mrs. Soludo has donated and distributed over 15,000 packs of hybrid seeds to encourage home gardens.
According to Obidike,the Healthy Living Schools Garden Competition has further nurtured agricultural innovation among students.
For the first time in the state’s history, Her Excellency secured a strategic partnership with the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, unlocking new opportunities for thousands of Ndi Anambra.
Dr. Obidike affirmed that these achievements are concrete, measurable, and verifiable not abstract promises.
He stated that the First Lady’s dedication has positively impacted mothers, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and every community in the state, culminating in her winning the prestigious First Lady Award of the Year in Nigeria for healthcare and child nutrition.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Mrs. Soludo was conferred a doctorate degree in Public Health and Child Nutrition by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).
“Mrs. Nonye Soludo may not wear a habit or walk the streets of Calcutta adorned with expensive jewelry or clothes. Instead, she walks humbly through the markets of Onitsha, the schools of Aguleri, and the homes of Ndi Anambra, establishing her presence through genuine service,”
“Her legacy is not written in stone but in the lives she transforms. In her, we see the making of another Mother Teresa. In her, we see leadership that heals. In her, we see the soul of Anambra.
Let us celebrate her not only for what she does but for who she is: a mother to the forgotten, a light to the underserved, and a quiet force of transformation. Ndi Anambra, let us stand firm. Let us protect this progress so that Anambra continues to shine as the light of the nation.
Let us say YES to continuity. YES to a second term. YES to more healthy living for all.” he said.
