Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo has promised to undertake the surgery of a child with cerebral palsy in one of the children homes in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Soludo made the promise while visiting three registered homes in the state, namely Onitsha North Community Children’s Home, In-land Town, Onitsha South Motherless Babies Home, Odoakpu and Missionaries of Charity/ Gift of Mercy Community Children and Compassionate Home/ Orphanage, Fegge-Onitsha.
Mrs Soludo had earlier visited five out of 31 registered homes in the state during which she promised to personally visit all the community homes in the state before Christmas.
She said she had discussed with the management of the home where the child with palsy was staying, stressing the urgent need to take up her treatment.
“They said they have been to the hospital and were given 50-50 chances. But we cannot afford to abandon her in such condition.
“I will reach out to the management to further our discussions so we see how we can help this child,” she promised.
Speaking shortly after the visits, Mrs Soludo said the visit, which was in keeping with the spirit of Christmas, was to extend love and kindness to the children’s home as way of reassuring them that they are not alone in their plight.
She described Christmas as period of showing love, compassion and support to one another.
She said, “Our Lord Jesus Christ exemplified this love and as Christians following his steps, we have the duty to shine the light of Christ through love to people around us, especially these special children, who have found themselves in this situation.
“As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, we need to touch lives and I encourage everyone who God has blessed to take up this campaign to extend love to people around them. Partying and merriment is good but this is the real thing for me.”
The governor’s wife observed that homes she visited were exceptionally clean, commending the commitment of the management of the homes towards wellbeing of the children.
Responding, Director, Education and Social Development, Onitsha North LGA, Lady Rita Anaekwe, who manages the Onitsha North Community Home, said had not seen such magnanimity as shown by the governor’s wife in her 32 years as social worker.
“Mrs Soludo has set a standard and model in humanitarian disposition that other first ladies and female public office holders should emulate.
”By this gesture, which will definitely put smiles on the faces of the children in the homes, the governor’s wife has shown that she is a true mother, who truly cares for her children,” she said.
Anaekwe called on other social workers to see their job as more of humanitarian and to handle the children under their care with love and compassion.
On her part, the Onitsha South Home Manager, Mrs Perpetua Okonkwo expressed appreciation to the first lady for the gesture.
She called on other spirited individuals and groups to assist them address some of the pressing needs of the children, including food items, school fees, provision of kitchen and conveniences.
Mrs Soludo, during the visit distributed various items such as bags of rice and beans, tubers of yam, toiletories, beverages, as well as cash gifts to the homes.
She also had the opportunity to pray, sing and dance with the community children, while the visibly excited children, prayed for the governor’s wife, her husband, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and for peace in the state throughout the festive season.
