Amawbia, Anambra State – The Anambra Queens Volleyball team, led by the Chairman of the Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Patrick Estate Onyedum, paid a courtesy visit to the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia.
During the reception, Mrs. Soludo commended the team for bringing pride to the state and pledged her commitment to collaborate with them. She urged the players to remain focused, prioritize self-care, and avoid drugs and alcohol. Emphasizing the importance of nutrition, she advised them to shun processed foods and embrace natural diets.
Reflecting on her personal health journey, the First Lady revealed, “I used to be very big in size and ate all kinds of junk foods. During that period, I suffered severe heartburn and knee pains until I changed my lifestyle. For twenty years, I haven’t experienced heartburn anymore. I work out all the time—it’s an addiction, but a better one.”
Mrs. Soludo, who played volleyball in secondary school, stressed that health is humanity’s “greatest wealth,” adding, “Most sicknesses and diseases, known and unknown, emancipate from our lifestyles.” She invited Awka-based players to join her weekly Saturday Workout Sessions at Solution Fun City, aiming to entrench healthy living as a cultural norm in the state.
In his remarks, Chairman Patrick Estate Onyedum recounted the origins of the Anambra Queens, highlighting their discovery during the Lolo Philomina Egbuniwe South East Volleyball Championships in 2020 and 2021, as well as the 2022 state Volleyball League. He noted that the team made history as the first from southern Nigeria to compete in the National Volleyball Premier League.
Onyedum also announced plans for the inaugural “Dr. Nonye Soludo National Volleyball Invitational” in September 2025, a five-day event featuring Nigeria’s top eight female teams.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Anambra State Volleyball Association, Mrs. Philomena Agusiobo, represented at the event, honored Mrs. Soludo as the Grand Patroness of Anambra Queens for her advocacy for girl-child empowerment, humanitarian efforts, and sports support. She also revealed the team’s qualification to represent the South-East at the 2025 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, urging the First Lady’s proactive stewardship.
Mrs. Soludo, celebrated as “one of the best cooks in the country,” concluded by praising the Anambra Queens’ coaches and staff, reaffirming her dedication to fostering health and sporting excellence across Anambra.
