Published by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has called on the newly inaugurated executive members of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter, to use their positions to advance peace, moral values, and healthier lifestyles across communities in the state.
The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has called on the newly inaugurated executive members of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Anambra State chapter, to use their offices to promote peace, moral values, and healthy living.
She made the call during the inauguration ceremony of the new executive of the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria held in Onitsha on Wednesday.
Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Oluchi Ibezim, Soludo urged the new leadership to prioritise advocacy for women’s rights, support for families, campaigns against gender-based violence, and promotion of interfaith unity.
She said that motherhood should be seen as a privilege and an opportunity to build stronger households and encourage healthy lifestyles.
The First Lady, who also founded the non-governmental organisation Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, said the initiative promotes inclusion and partnership across communities, stressing that hygiene practices remain essential regardless of religious or social status.
According to her, the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, also known as WOWICAN, plays a significant role in uniting Christian women across denominations in Nigeria.
The organisation focuses on humanitarian service, empowerment, education, and advocacy for women’s rights, while also supporting families and promoting interfaith harmony in communities across the country.
Soludo emphasised that the Healthy Living initiative is designed to encourage inclusive participation in public health awareness and behavioural change among women and families in Anambra State.
She further urged religious leaders and community stakeholders to collaborate in addressing social challenges such as domestic violence and poor health practices through sustained advocacy and education.
She congratulated the new leadership of WOWICAN and encouraged them to remain committed to service delivery and community development initiatives that strengthen families and promote peace in society.
The inauguration ceremony brought together church leaders, women groups, and stakeholders from across Anambra State who pledged support for the new executive and its programmes.
Observers note that initiatives such as Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo continue to align with broader efforts by the state government to improve public health awareness and social welfare outcomes among residents.
The event in Onitsha drew attention from religious leaders, community representatives, and women organisations who gathered to witness the formal transition of leadership within the Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Anambra State.
Participants described the gathering as an opportunity to reinforce collaboration among churches and civil society organisations in advancing social welfare programmes, particularly those targeting women and children.
WOWICAN, which operates under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria, serves as a platform for coordinating women from various Christian denominations across the country with focus on unity, service, and social development.
Since its establishment in 1990, the organisation has played a consistent role in promoting peace building initiatives, humanitarian assistance, and advocacy for women’s empowerment in both urban and rural communities across Nigeria.
Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of moral education, family stability, and community participation in addressing societal challenges affecting young people, particularly issues related to violence and unhealthy behaviours.
They also highlighted the need for increased awareness campaigns on public health hygiene and preventive healthcare, stressing that behavioural change remains essential for improving overall wellbeing in communities.
The First Lady’s message aligned with ongoing efforts by the Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo to strengthen healthcare delivery systems, promote sanitation, and encourage preventive health practices among residents.
Her NGO Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo has in recent years focused on nutrition awareness, physical fitness, maternal health, and hygiene education across schools and communities in the state.
Advocates argue that such initiatives are particularly important in a country where access to healthcare information remains uneven and where preventable diseases continue to affect vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
Religious institutions, including churches, have increasingly been called upon to support public health and social development efforts, recognising their influence in shaping community behaviour and promoting positive values among congregants.
In Anambra State, collaboration between government agencies and faith based organisations has been identified as a key strategy for addressing social issues including gender based violence, poverty, and educational inequality.
Observers note that initiatives such as WOWICAN elections and associated programmes often serve as platforms for strengthening grassroots mobilisation and enhancing the role of women in leadership positions within religious and civic spaces.
The emphasis on interfaith unity reflects broader national conversations about religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, a country characterised by diverse religious and cultural identities across its regions.
Stakeholders continue to call for sustained engagement at community level to ensure that messages of peace, health awareness, and social responsibility are effectively communicated and translated into action.
The inauguration also provided a platform for reflection on the evolving role of women in religious leadership structures across southeastern Nigeria, where increasing participation has been observed in recent years.
Analysts say that initiatives led by First Ladies at state level often complement government policies by adding visibility and grassroots mobilisation to health and social welfare campaigns across communities.
In Anambra State, health advocacy programmes have increasingly incorporated faith based networks, recognising their capacity to reach households and influence behavioural change at community level, especially in rural areas.
The call for healthier living also aligns with broader national public health priorities including sanitation, immunisation, maternal care, and disease prevention, which remain critical challenges in Nigeria health sector.
Community members present at the event expressed optimism that the new executive of WOWICAN would continue to build on previous achievements and expand programmes targeting vulnerable groups including widows and young girls.
The gathering ended with prayers and commitments from various stakeholders to support peace building initiatives, promote education, and strengthen family values within Anambra State communities moving forward.
The First Lady reiterated commitment to sustained engagement with faith based organisations in advancing social wellbeing across the state emphasizing continuity in advocacy efforts for healthier communities
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