By Izuchukwu Adichie
While Governor Soludo’s transformative governance in Anambra State continues to earn national praise, another quiet force of progress has emerged from the Soludo household—his wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo. Recently, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, publicly celebrated Mrs. Soludo’s “passionate and exceptional” execution of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Program in Anambra. This commendation is no mere formality—it is a recognition of a woman whose work embodies the very essence of passion.
A First Lady’s Praise: More Than Just Words:
Senator Tinubu’s acknowledgment of Mrs. Soludo’s efforts is rooted in tangible impact. The Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Program, under Mrs. Soludo’s stewardship, has recently empowered 200 smallholder farmers from Anambra—most of them women— with startup tools -seeds, tools, and training to boost food security and economic resilience. But beyond the numbers, it is Mrs. Soludo’s hands-on approach that has captivated observers. She didn’t just implement the program; she walked the fields with selected beneficiaries during the whole process and intensive training, listened to their challenges, and encouraged them to succeed in the whole process.
“Mrs. Soludo’s work is a masterclass. Anambra made the most of the program’s objectives by being thorough and very intentional about each step,” Senator Tinubu remarked while she played the recorded video of the event in Anambra state during the First Quarter High-Level Meeting with Wives of Governors from the thirty-six states of the Federation. For Mrs Soludo, she doesn’t see projects; she sees people.
Madam Solution: A Name Earned, Not Given:
To Ndi Anambra, Mrs. Soludo’s recognition comes as no surprise. Nicknamed: “Madam Solution” by the grassroots, she has long been a symbol of hope and compassion. Her Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative has impacted about 100,000 households in the state. Her Green Anambra campaign, which promotes organic farming and environmental sustainability, has turned backyard gardens into successful economic hubs.
But what truly sets Madam Solution apart is her intentionality. Whether she’s teaching schoolgirls to plant vegetable gardens or lobbying for policies that protect mother and child rights, she is an advocate of dietary preference, improving healthy breastfeeding, reducing vaccine-preventable diseases, human trafficking, and child abuse, and preventing malnutrition and maternal and infant deaths, her actions are guided by a simple philosophy: “Progress must touch the least, the last, and the lost.”
The Ripple Effect of Women Leading with Heart:
Mrs. Soludo’s influence extends beyond policy—it is reshaping perceptions of women’s roles in authority. Young girls in Anambra now see a Governor’s wife who firmly believes that the role of a governor’s wife goes beyond wearing jewels and tiaras, and champions their dreams without pretension. “When I grow up, I want to be like Aunty Nonye,” said 12-year-old Adaora from Amesi, one of thousands of children inspired by her mentorship programs.
Senator Tinubu’s praise, therefore, is more than a political gesture -it is a nod to the quiet revolution Mrs. Soludo is leading. By proving that empathy and effectiveness are not mutually exclusive, she has redefined what it means to be a Governor’s wife.
A Legacy of Light:
As Ndi Anambra accepted the Nigerian First Lady’s commendation of Mrs Soludo, she remains characteristically humble. This commendation is not about her. It is about every woman who rises at dawn to till the soil, every mother who fights for her child’s future, and every community that refuses to be defined by its struggles.
In a world often cynical about leadership, Mrs. Soludo’s story is a reminder that authenticity and action can still move mountains. As Anambra thrives under her husband’s governance, it is her light—steady, warm, and unyielding—that illuminates the path for others to follow.
