In a bold move to promote healthy living and hygiene in Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, the wife of the state governor, has taken her Healthy Living Market Hygiene Outreach to Afọ Ígwè Market Umudioka. Her mission? To ensure that all markets in the state are aware of and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
During her visit, the First Lady emphasized the importance of good health, calling it “the greatest wealth.” She highlighted several pillars of healthy living, including nutrition, mental health, physical fitness, personal hygiene, and environmental cleanliness.
Addressing the issue of nutrition, Mrs. Soludo urged traders to be mindful of what they eat. She expressed concern over the increasing number of people dying from diseases linked to unhealthy eating habits, including the alarming practice of using chemicals like sniper on food items.
“We are encouraging ndi Anambra to have gardens in their homes and eat natural foods the way God created them,” she said. “Anyone who consumes food containing harmful chemicals like sniper risks serious harm to their organs and even death.”
Mrs. Soludo also stressed the importance of personal hygiene, particularly hand washing. She shared a concerning example of a woman peeling groundnuts with a runny nose, using her hands to wipe her nose, and then continuing peeling groundnuts without washing her hands.
To address these issues, the First Lady and her team provided buckets and liquid soaps for hand washing, to be placed in all strategic locations in the market. They also distributed waste bags to help keep the market clean and free of litter.
The First Lady also addressed the issue of drug abuse among the youth, urging mothers to be vigilant and guide their children away from bad influences.
Mr. Dennis Okwuosa, the Chairman Afọ Ígwè Market Umudioka, expressed gratitude for Mrs. Soludo’s visit, noting that she was the first Governor’s wife to visit the market. He assured her that he would spread her message of healthy living to all traders in the market.
Dr. Afam Obidike, the Commissioner for Health and State Coordinator of HLNWS, also spoke at the event, highlighting the achievements of Governor Soludo in his two years in office and promoting the free HPV Vaccine launched by the First Lady.
