Amawbia, Anambra State – In a landmark event at the Old Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, spearheaded another transformative phase of her “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo” initiative, hosting the distribution of Nonye’s Healthy Living Kwash Pap and the inauguration of the Measles and Rubella Vaccine Introduction Advocacy campaign.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Soludo emphasized the critical importance of these initiatives in safeguarding the health, growth, and welfare of Anambra’s children. “As a mother and the governor’s wife, I am deeply committed to the well-being of our children and protecting the future of our dear state from preventable diseases,” she declared with passion.
Mrs. Soludo hailed the introduction of the Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine as a powerful tool to combat measles and secure the health of future generations. “With this vaccine, we now have the means to fight measles across Anambra and ensure a healthier tomorrow,” she affirmed.
Turning to her innovative Nonye’s Healthy Living Kwash Pap, she described it as a groundbreaking advancement in nutrition. “This pap has proven to be an exciting innovation, and we owe our remarkable results to the tireless efforts of our health workers,” she said. “However, we must cover more ground to achieve comprehensive results. There are still malnourished children out there who need this pap! No child in Anambra should die of malnutrition.”
On the measles vaccine, Mrs. Soludo stressed that the campaign extends beyond administering doses. “It’s about creating awareness and ensuring every parent, caregiver, and community leader understands the vaccine’s importance,” she said. She specifically charged the wives of Mayors to champion this cause in their communities, educating mothers on the vaccine’s safety and dispelling false narratives surrounding vaccination.
Responding to the overwhelming demand for Nonye’s Healthy Living Kwash Pap, Mrs. Soludo pledged to increase distribution and potentially scale up production. She clarified that while the pap is provided free of charge in Anambra, it is available for purchase in other states and is nutritious for both children and adults.
Dr. Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health and State Coordinator for Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, highlighted the global threat of measles, a leading cause of death among young children, and rubella, also known as German Measles, which causes mild illness in children and adults. He noted that seven local government areas in the state; Anambra West, Ayamelum, Idemili North, Njikoka, Ogbaru, Orumba North, and Orumba South are at high risk for measles outbreaks. “The MR vaccine is highly effective and safe, offering lifelong protection against measles and rubella for individuals aged 9 months to 14 years,” he explained.
Dr. Francis Ukwuije, World Health Organization Anambra State Coordinator, praised Mrs. Soludo’s efforts through her NGO, particularly the production of Nonye’s Kwash Pap. He urged her to pursue NAFDAC registration to enable large-scale production, citing the product’s significant health benefits.
Nutrition Officers from Anambra’s 21 local government areas shared compelling testimonies, confirming the remarkable efficacy of Nonye’s Kwash Pap compared to previous supplements. Babies weighing under 2.5kg reportedly gained significant weight and exhibited robust health after consuming the pap.
Mrs. Soludo’s initiatives continue to position Anambra as a model of health innovation, with her unrelenting commitment to eradicating malnutrition and preventable diseases sparking hope for a brighter, healthier future.
The event was graced by distinguished attendees, including Lady Oluchi Ibezim, wife of the Anambra Deputy Governor; Hon. Amaka Obi, Mayor of Idemili South; wives of Mayors; Dr. Rose Amasiani, State Nutrition Officer and Program Manager, Nutrition Society of Nigeria; Dr. Nkechi Ikediegwu, Chairman of PPSSC; Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, ASUBEB Chairman; Dr. Uchebo Obiageli, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Pharm. Chisom Uchem, Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Care; traditional rulers; health ministry stakeholders; and Nutrition Officers, among others.
