Admin I Friday, August 15, 2025
AWKA, Anambra – The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has called on women across the state to prioritize family values and the proper upbringing of their children, emphasizing that the foundation of a healthy society begins in the home.
Speaking at the Anambra Women’s Health Summit, themed “Creating Sustainable Support Systems for Effective Breastfeeding,” Dr. Soludo, who is also the founder of the Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Initiative, expressed deep concern over the erosion of family values in today’s society.
According to her, many parents,both fathers and mothers are increasingly focused on the pursuit of wealth, neglecting their primary responsibilities at home.
“Fathers are busy, mothers are busy, and no one seems to care about the values we instill in our children anymore. Everyone is chasing money,” she lamented.
She criticized the growing trend of mothers delegating childcare to untrained domestic staff, often too young or inexperienced to offer proper guidance.
“We now leave our children in the hands of house helps who are themselves still under tutelage. As a result, our children are left to do as they please, often engrossed in social media, with little to no supervision.”she added.
Dr. Soludo urged mothers to return to the basics by placing their children’s development and moral upbringing at the center of their lives.
“The top priorities for every mother should be her children,number one, two, three, and even four. We must know where our children are every morning before we leave home. When they return from school, we should welcome them, supervise their homework, and monitor their activities on social media,” she said.
She warned that failure to properly guide children could lead to dire consequences for society in the near future.
“Children now interact more with strangers online, even people from outside the country, without us knowing what kind of influence they are under. If we don’t take action now, things will only get worse.”she stated.
Dr. Soludo emphasized that while men often bear the burden of providing for the family, the day-to-day upbringing of children largely rests on the shoulders of women.
“When we are out in the field hustling for money, let us not forget our core responsibilities. Seventy to eighty percent of family issues are blamed on women.”she said.
She also advised women to prioritize their health, pointing out that staying healthy is essential for fulfilling their roles effectively.
“If you don’t eat well, you won’t have the strength to care for your home or your children. Eat natural food. Have a garden in your backyard. Some of us now prefer noodles, but do you know what’s in them? Most of those noodles are like rubber and hard to digest.”she added.
Offering practical support, she promised to provide women with packs of seedlings to encourage home gardening, reminding them that,“Health is the greatest wealth.”
Dr. Soludo further encouraged mothers to practice exclusive breastfeeding, stressing that breast milk contains all the nutrients and water an infant needs.
“It’s the work of God. Why should we abandon natural breast milk for artificial formulas we don’t even know where or how they were made? Let’s not start our children’s lives with chemicals.”she warned.
She called on grandmothers to support younger women in breastfeeding their babies and raising them with care and wisdom.
On family dynamics, Dr. Soludo appealed to women to avoid conflicts with their husbands, emphasizing the importance of respect and understanding in the home.
“There is only one head in a family. You can’t have two captains in one ship. Women must learn to manage situations wisely. Don’t argue when a man is angry. Control your words.”she advised.
She also urged mothers to be vigilant and intentional about parenting, even extending concern to children in their communities.
“When you see a child going astray, correct them,or report to their mother. Some mothers might react negatively, telling you to mind your own children, but we must care for our neighbors’ children too.”Nonye Soludo stated
According to her, many children desire open communication with their mothers but are often dismissed.
“Some children want to talk to their mothers, but the mothers are always saying they’re too busy or tired. If you don’t give attention to your child now, you may regret it later,when it’s too late.”she added.
Also present at the summit was Governor Charles Soludo, who briefly addressed the women during their August Meeting. He commended their contributions to family and society and applauded their efforts to maintain strong homes.
“You all look wonderful. I wish you the best and welcome you to the ‘Light House’—Anambra. For over 34 years, Anambra did not have a Government House. Today, we have 54 new structures in place. You can take a walk and see what we’ve achieved,” he said.
