By Uzo Ugwunze
The Commissioner for Information Dr Law Mefor, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, Executive Chairman Idemili North Local Government Area INLGA, Chief Stanley Nkwoka (Ochendo) have urged residents of Anambra State to embrace Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’s (HLWNS) Community Garden for healthy feeding and Bodily Exercise for sound body and mind.
They gave the advice during the Launch of Saturday Healthy Living Workout Session in LGAs and Healthy Living Community Garden/Farmers Market Programs by the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs Nonye Soludo at INLGA Secretariat, Ogidi.
Speaking during the event, The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor who thanked Mrs Soludo for choosing Idemili North, his own LGA as a place to flag off the programs assured that people of Idemili North will definitely adopt the programs on weekly exercise and community/own your organic garden project because of the health and economic benefits.
“The Governor’s wife is doing a gigantic work. She is talking about a sound mind in a healthy body. She teaches our people how to engage in exercise and also eat healthy. If you lose your health you lose everything. Health first and you are sure of any other thing. If you live healthy, you will live longer and be more productive. Do it organically, no Genetically Modified Organism (GMO),”said Mefor.
Also Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike the State Coordinator of HLWNS initiative advised everyone to embrace the 6 pillars of HLWNS including the working out and the farmers market angle unveiled at INLGA. “Learn any thing or knowledge that can improve one’s health including how to resuscitate somebody who suddenly slumps in a crowd demonstrated by the Red Cross society today, It can extend someone’s life tomorrow”.
The INLGA Chairman, Chief Stanley Nkwoka reiterated that the launching of the Community Garden/Farmers Market Program was timely given the hunger experienced in the country today.
“I thank Her Excellency for choosing Idemili North because it is the most populated LGA in Anambra State. It is not just about healthy exercise alone but eating well too. We have already established our farm and in three months time Her Excellency will be here to celebrate our farmers market from our own garden. We shall also take it to grassroots including Communities in the riverine areas so that we can produce vegetables right round the year”, said Nkwoka.
Earlier before unveiling the dual program, Mrs Nonye Soludo explained the benefits of daily or weekly/Saturday exercise for everyone in all the LGAs saying that working out builds a sound mind for the day’s activities, cures arthritis, burns excessive fats and reduces cholesterol level, helps in blood circulation which helps longevity. She requested volunteers to come out to the LGA Secretariats while Communities could converge at school fields for weekly Saturday exercise saying that she could them join online or offline.
Dr. Mrs Soludo also advised LGA Mayors
or their wives to assemble volunteers that would kickstart the Community Garden saying that she was willing to donate organic seedlings and vegetables for a start.
“Today, we came with organic seedlings like cucumber, okra, pepper, lettuce, watermelon, cabbage, vegetables like bitter leaf , green,ugu,/pumpkin, water leaf etc.. In three months, some of the vegetables will be ready for harvest and we shall bring it to the Farmer’s market weekly. The farm produce will be selling at a reduced price of up to 30percent from what is sold at the open market and yet people can still make millions out of their farms,” she said.
Moreover, The Idemili South Chairman, Hon Mrs Amaka Obi (Iyom Ife-Abata) eulogized Her Excellency saying that the great feats achieved by Governor Chukwuma Soludo were made possible because of the full support she gives as a good and visionary wife.
” Today, Anambra enjoys free Education, free Antenatal and delivery, good hospitals,good roads infrastructure including construction of Federal roads just to make life better for Ndi Anambra. The 1 Youth 2 skills and the empowerment have transformed our youths with about 750 beneficiaries from Idemili North. Infact, in the next election we from Anambra Central and others from the entire 21 LGAs must ensure that Soludo wins in every polling unit in the coming guber election”, said Mrs Obi.
The Leader, INLGA Councillors, Hon Samuel Arinze Anikpe (Oyinatumba Wester) in his vote of thanks eulogized Governor Soludo saying that he had indeed brought solution to many sectors of the State pleading that even after Soludo’s second tenure which was never in contention was completed,he Soludo should make himself available to advice those coming after him because the Solution mantra has been unprecedented.
Other Dignitaries that welcomed Her Excellency during the Launch include the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA Anambra State Chairman, Chief Barrister Ifeatu Obi Okoye, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Beverly Ikpeazu Nkemdiche, Deputy Mayor Idemili North, Hon Mrs Phina Uche Onwuachu, Traditional Ruler of Oraukwu, Igwe Dr. Barr. Emeka Onuorah and his Abacha counterpart Igwe Godwin Odiegwu, Honourable Councillors, Several Soludo support groups, WIGA women.