Living right does not cost a fortune, says Soludo's wife

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By Vincent Ujumadu

The wife of the governor of Anambra State, Mrs Nonye Soludo has said that living a healthy life requires simple and deliberate habits that define one's approach to healthy life, maintaining that living right does not cost a fortune.

Speaking during the inauguration of Healthy Living School Ambassadors and Flag off of Community/School Gardens, which is her pet project for all schools in the 179 communities in Anambra State, Mrs Soludo reminded the people that living right begins with what one eats and how the body is taken care of.

"You are what you eat. The bottom line is that if you do not understand what goes into your mouth, your body will not. Healthy living is a very conscious practice", she said.

She recalled how she launched the crusade with about 200 people two years ago, expressing joy at the immense results that had been achieved since then.

She added: 'Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative has gained as one of the most impactful social movements in Nigeria. Your valuable efforts and remarkable contributions to each idea, have been inspiring, and I want to use this platform to thank you all again for your sacrifices, dedication and vision.

"My vision from when this crusade began over nineteen years ago, has not changed a bit. It's still about making the difference by embracing acceptable health habits and helping our lives to function better. It's still about the right lifestyle, about humanity and compassion. It's still about me, you and everyone around us. It's about Healthy Living.

At this ceremony, we are launching a tripartite programme. First is the reintegration of Healthy Living Ambassadors in selected hundred schools into our programme, flag off of Healthy Living Garden Programme in Schools, and inauguration of Healthy Living Garden Programme for communities. These programmes form a unique model in our renewed efforts to strengthen the presence of our movement across schools and communities in Anambra State.

We are here to chart a fresher course for not just the success of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo in your schools and communities, but in places where these messages and their effects are direly needed. You all have been screened and cleared to lead this movement to a level of remarkable excellence. I'm counting faithfully on all of you because I see a visible passion to succeed.

I have always maintained that Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo is a product of deep passion. What we have always strived to achieve is a culture of complete consciousness. You can call it a mindset of change. Being conscious of one's body is the first step to achieving the right health.

To live healthy is to live happy. Therefore, our central focus is to guide the students on the routines for healthy and happy life. We want to build an army of healthy living enthusiasts so that in the long run, we want every student in Anambra State to be fully involved in this movement.

I urge both the Ambassadors and the Principals to collaborate strongly for the effective implementation of the two projects in our schools. We have a streamlined process for refilling each Pad Bank and also give handsome rewards to schools whose gardens emerge the best.

It's really important to keep emphasizing that healthy living is a crucial way of life. Our relationship with the body will ultimately define what it gives back. If you feed it well, it gives you wellness.

If you feed it badly, it gives you sickness. That is the ideology we want to instil in the minds of our students. Healthy living with Nonye Soludo is designed to give every student a platform to succeed.

Each club member carries an identity of difference. That is why we insist that one of the requirements for being a club member is cleanliness. Members of the club must stick to its foundational norms, always. We have set our standards high because healthy living requires strong discipline."

She explained that subsequently, more schools that meet the membership criteria will be brought into the programme, stressing that she expects nothing short of standard, commitment, vigour, and excellence.

"You must ensure that every club member represents our brand of excellence in character, appearance, and understanding. You, too, must lead by example. I expect you to build the right collaboration with your school heads. The clubs belong to the school.

"We have re-nominated hundred of you based on clear antecedents. From time to time, we expect you to use the information and feedback channels that will be provided to brief us on your progress and areas of needs and advice", she stated.