Soludo’s wife bags award in health activism

From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

The Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has emerged as the winner of the Health Activism category at the 2026 BudgIT Active Citizens Awards, a national recognition celebrating individuals and organisations making remarkable contributions to civic engagement and social development across Nigeria.

The prestigious award ceremony acknowledged her outstanding leadership in advancing preventive healthcare, community wellness, and public health advocacy through the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative.

At the award ceremony, yesterday, in Lagos, Dr. Soludo was honoured ahead of fellow finalists; Nigerian health and gender rights advocate, Ramatu Ada Ochekliye and Sidney Sampson; Nigerian public health and social impact professional, following a rigorous selection process that assessed nominees on innovation, impact, sustainability, inclusion, leadership, and measurable community outcomes.

Since assuming the role of Anambra First Lady, Dr. Soludo has championed several people-centred interventions, including statewide fitness campaigns, maternal and child health advocacy, nutrition education, environmental sanitation, the Healthy Living Pad Bank for schoolgirls, the distribution of free seed packs to households, and the Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap Initiative, which addresses childhood malnutrition.

These programmes have touched thousands of lives while reinforcing the importance of prevention as the foundation of a healthier society.

The BudgIT Active Citizens Awards, now in its third edition, recognises change makers whose work strengthens accountability, democratic values, and sustainable development through advocacy, innovation, research, community service, and public engagement.

Receiving the award, Nonye Soludo described the recognition as a humbling honour and a renewed call to serve with even greater passion and dedication.

“This recognition belongs to every member of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, our valued partners, healthcare workers, volunteers, community leaders, and the resilient people of Anambra State who have embraced the vision of wellness and healthy living. Like a family driven by one common goal, we have shown that when communities take ownership of their health, lasting transformation becomes very possible” she stated.