By Ovat Abeng
Wife of the Anambra State Governor and founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Dr Mrs Nonye Soludo, has called for greater public vigilance and stronger action against child abuse, urging Nigerians to speak up whenever they witness the molestation, exploitation or mistreatment of children.
Mrs Soludo made the call on Friday at the 2026 August Meeting and Empowerment Summit organised by the Idemili South Local Government Area in Anambra State, where more than 500 women and young people received vocational equipment and other forms of economic support.
Addressing women at the event, Soludo condemned the practice of keeping children, regardless of their age, as domestic workers, describing it as unacceptable. She urged members of the public to embrace a “see something, say something” approach to child protection and pledged to continue advocating stronger legislation against child abuse, molestation and other forms of violence against children. She stressed that protecting vulnerable children requires collective vigilance and the willingness to intervene whenever abuse is suspected.
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Soludo commended the empowerment initiative, describing investments in practical livelihood opportunities as an important means of strengthening families and communities. She said the provision of sewing machines, baking ovens, salon equipment, motorcycles, shuttle buses and financial assistance demonstrated the value of equipping people with the means to earn and become economically independent. “When we equip the right hands to earn, create and grow, we strengthen entire families and communities,” she said.
The empowerment programme provided beneficiaries with 100 salon hair-washing basins, 100 sewing machines, 30 double-layer ovens and 50 motorcycles. Women petty traders also received financial support to invest in their businesses, while 10 young men were presented with mini-buses under the council’s Mass Transit Initiative. Soludo expressed hope that the intervention would help beneficiaries build sustainable livelihoods, increase household incomes and contribute to economic development within their communities.
The Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mrs Amaka Obi, said the programme reflected her administration’s commitment to investing in its people and creating sustainable economic opportunities at the grassroots. Obi said the initiative was not merely a distribution exercise but a deliberate effort to equip women and young people with the skills and resources needed to become entrepreneurs, create employment and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
She added that empowering individuals, particularly women and youths, would strengthen families, transform communities and promote sustainable development. According to Obi, investment in human capital remains critical to addressing unemployment, improving household incomes and raising living standards, while also advancing the people-centred development agenda of the Anambra State Government.
Beneficiaries and other participants praised the initiative, describing the provision of vocational equipment, business support and transportation assets as a significant intervention that could help reduce unemployment and improve livelihoods. They expressed appreciation to the Idemili South council administration and Soludo for their support, while the event also reinforced calls for stronger community action to protect children from abuse, exploitation and violence.
