In a stirring address that resonated deeply with her audience, Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, has urged women to abandon the dangerous trend of skin bleaching and instead focus on what truly matters: their health and the well-being of their families.
Speaking at the 2nd Anambra State Women Health Summit in Awka, organised under her Healthy Living Initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, Soludo expressed concern over the increasing number of women spending lavishly on bleaching creams while neglecting essential health practices. She implored women to invest in balanced diets, regular health checks, and exercise rather than in skin-altering products that could have long-term consequences.
“It’s disheartening to see women, who should be nurturing the future of this state, choosing to spend their hard-earned money on bleaching creams rather than on nutritious food that strengthens their bodies and minds,” Soludo lamented. “Our natural skin is a gift from God, and we must learn to cherish it instead of altering it.”
Her message comes at a critical time, as she also raised the alarm over the low uptake of immunisations in Anambra, a situation she described as a ticking time bomb for the state’s future. Soludo did not mince words as she highlighted the dire consequences of neglecting immunisation, especially in rural areas where preventable diseases like measles, polio, and meningitis continue to ravage children.
“I’m deeply troubled by the reports of measles outbreaks in Anambra East, Anambra West, Ogbaru, and Ayamelum. These tragedies could have been avoided if mothers had made immunisation a priority,” Soludo stated with urgency. “When a child falls ill due to a preventable disease, the entire family suffers. This is not just a health issue; it’s a social and economic one as well.”
She urged mothers to take advantage of the state’s free childhood vaccines, emphasising that these life-saving immunisations are not just a health requirement but a moral obligation for every parent.
“The state government has made these vaccines readily available, yet we are facing a crisis because uptake is alarmingly low. Mothers, please understand that when your child is vaccinated, you are not only protecting them but also sparing yourself the emotional and financial burden of caring for a sick child.”
Soludo’s powerful appeal to the women of Anambra was not just about health but about empowerment. She called on women to take control of their lives and make choices that would benefit not only themselves but also their children and communities.
The summit also featured contributions from health experts, including Dr Mohamed Bonos, the WHO Coordinator for Anambra, and Prof. Brian Adinma, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, who both reinforced the critical need for prioritising women’s health and reproductive care. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, echoed these sentiments, describing the summit as a testament to the government’s commitment to the health and welfare of its citizens.
As the summit concluded, Soludo’s words hung in the air, a clarion call for women across the state to rise above superficial trends and focus on the foundational aspects of life—health, family, and the future of the next generation.
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