By Ifeizu Joe
While the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma is busy facing opponents in the state’s political battle field in a bid to secure re-election, one factor that may largely sway the people of the state into voting for him is the large heartedness, humility and likeability of his wife, Nonye Soludo.
It is already an established fact that women form the bulk of the voting population in Anambra State, and even at that, on election days, women turn out more at the polling units. Without necessarily putting the election into consideration, Mrs Soludo has been able to draw a great percentage of Anambra into keying into the Soludo re-election project. 
Recently in a press conference by the Commissioner for Health and Coordinator of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo; the NGO of the wife of the Governor, Dr Afam Obidike reeled out some of the works the governor’s wife has engaged in, through the pet project.
Obidike said: “I have the honour of speaking not just about achievements, but about a woman whose works remind us of the timeless power of compassion. In the heart of Anambra State, we are witnessing the quiet rise of a figure whose humility, grace, and service echo the legacy of one of the world’s most revered humanitarians — Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
“Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo’s Healthy Living Initiative has become a lifeline for thousands across our state. From inception, Her Excellency has consistently demonstrated that the health and wellbeing of Ndi Anambra must remain a top priority.”
The coordinator presented a rundown of few of the achievements of the NGO through the wife of the governor, most of which mostly impacts on children, youth and women. Her impact in the life of widows and young girls were well highlighted too.
He said: “Today, we are here to present the tangible results that have touched lives and are already making measurable impact across the State. 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. Her numerous achievements are: As ITN ambassador by malaria consortium, over 3.8 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) was distributed free of charge to most households in the state, protecting our families against malaria – one of the leading killers of children and mothers. 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. 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 are now available to save mothers from preventable deaths during childbirth. The First Lady has reached out through orphanages and special homes visitation, showing compassion to the most vulnerable. Community youth engagements in all the LGA have inspired thousands of young people to live healthy and productive lives. Anambra State skill women training programme aims to train our women on special skills which are mainly dominated by male folks, with over 6,000 applicants across the 21 LGA. Pad Banks (an initiative that seeks to make sanitary pad available to female students under menstrual cycle) in over 350 secondary schools, girls no longer have to miss classes due to menstrual challenges, and these ensures menstrual dignity.
“More than 26,000 elderly people have received free multivitamin supplements to support healthy aging, dignity kits to elderly during flooding. 1,000 persons with disabilities have been enrolled free into the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring equity and inclusiveness. Lifetime scholarships awarded to brilliant indigent children, 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. Through market and school outreaches, awareness of healthy living has spread across urban and rural communities alike.”
He stated for the very first time in the history of the state, the wife of the governor has secured a partnership with the First Lady of Nigeria. This is seen in her partnership with Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said is unlocking opportunities for thousands of Ndi Anambra today.
He continued: “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. 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. In her, we see the kind of leadership that heals. In her, we see the soul of Anambra.”
True to these testimonies, many women are daily embracing the Soludo re-election campaign, not because of his husband, but because of the soft touch of the wife. She has also bagged several awards for her work, notable among them is The First Lady Of The Year In Nigeria On Health Care And Child Nutrition. She was also conferred with conferred with a honorary doctorate degree on public health and child nutrition by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
During an empowerment event by the wife of the president of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu through her pet project – Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Mrs Nonye Soludo instead of the 1,000 women e selected also increased the beneficiaries to 2,000 women, and used her personal money raised from her business to fund half of the donation.
The large heart of the wife of the governor was summed up by the prayer of one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Uchechuwwu Egbo. She said: “I have never seen Soludo before, but this will be the second time I’m meeting the wife of the governor. I first met her when she hosted us at the old Governor’s Lodge at Amawbia, and today again I’m happy that I’m among the people that were called and empowered with N50,000 each. I don’t know Soludo, but I’m sure that many people will vote for him because of his wife. How can a trader like me have the opportunity of coming into the new Government House and even be served by Mama Anambra, if it is not because she is a simple and easy going woman,” she summarized.
