By Ovat Abeng
Anambra first lady and the founder of Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo Initiative, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has distributed free Pad Banks to over three hundred and fifty (350) secondary schools in the state.
Mrs Soludo disclosed this while briefing Journalists on her three years achievements as the first lady of Anambra State, held at light house Awka on Monday.
She said the free pad banks would help prevent the girl-students from missing classes due to menstrual challenges.
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The first lady spoke through the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike.
According to Obidike who is also the state coordinator of Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo Initiative, “Today, I have the honor of speaking not just about achievements, but about a woman whose work reminds 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.
“Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” This philosophy lives in the work of Mrs. Nonye Soludo, whose Healthy Living Initiative has become a lifeline for thousands across our state.
“From inception, Mrs Soludo 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.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 and a hope of a youth to learn a skill.
“Her numerous achievements for three years include, the free distribution of over 3.8 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) to households, inaugurating of more than 800 primary and secondary schools, embedding a culture of wellness among our young people, free cervical cancer screening and treatment for thousands of Anambra women, free vaccination campaigns against Rotavirus, Measles, and Polio to safeguard the future of our children, distribution of free Pad to malnourished children across the State Primary Health Cares Centres.
“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.
“She has also initiated a SKILL WOMEN training programme aim to train our women on special skills which is mainly dominated by male with over 6000 applicants across the 21 LGA in the state, distribution of Pad Banks in over 350 secondary schools to prevent girl-students from missing classes due to menstrual challenges, more than 26,000 elderly people have equally received free multivitamin supplements to support their aging, 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 in the state
“Mrs Soludo secured a strategic partnership with the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, unlocking opportunities for thousands of Ndi Anambra.
“This 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.
Due to her kind gesture, the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University COOU conferred on her honorary doctorate degree on public health and child nutrition.
“Let us protect this progress so that Anambra can continue to shine as the light of the nation. Let us say yes to continuity. Yes to second term of her husband, Chukwuma Charles Soludo. Yes to more healthy living for all. Together, we can achieve more. Together, we can build a healthier and stronger Anambra,” the Commissioner concluded.
