By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
On Thursday evening, after Anambra’s 35th anniversary, I was chanced to join the meeting of Anambra’s First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, with her team members at the Light House, Awka. The meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes or more, gave me a real occasion to closely observe a woman I had since admired from afar. From my close observations on Thursday, I confess that I had underrated the magnanimity of spirit, kindness, and genuine love that are natural to Mrs. Soludo. Unassuming, genuine, and loving, she was willing to inconvenience herself rather than anyone else throughout the meeting. The first striking observation was her work ethic. From the Anambra 35th anniversary outing, she came back and reported to her office in a few minutes. She quietly walked into her office without notice, a compelling demonstration that she is just calmly living and impacting.
While I sat with Dr. Afam Obidike and the First Lady’s team members in one of the offices at her complex, she first walked in to notify them that they were still meeting and asked that she be given some more time. Minutes later, she walked into the same office where the meeting commenced. As she walked in, we all showed some respect and stood up, but she rejected that and insisted that we sit down. I then observed that she was not seated and chose to wait for her to get seated first. But she insisted that I sit. When I contemplated, she literally dragged me to sit down. Thereafter, she grabbed a chair and sat down just beside my seat, without any formality. At that point, I knew why you cannot meet anyone who has something unpleasant to say about Anambra’s First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo. That is truly uncommon. Not to be immodest, but Mrs. Nonye Soludo is a First Lady in her own class. She doesn’t appear to be moved one bit by things, you know, power, fame, and influence. None of those seemed to matter to her more than humanity matters to her.
Interestingly, I am the only one in the room who is keenly observing, but no one cared or noticed because, while it is something they are used to, I am only just coming face to face with that. Her team members, Dan, Blessing, Jide, Ifuu, and others, were just as ‘normal’ as they were before she walked in. I don’t know how she did that, but it is completely shocking to see such hitch-free cordiality between a First Lady and her staffers. Dan was himself, occasionally throwing jabs. What I saw was a genuine connection between a powerful woman who chose to be a compassionate mother to her team members. With my experience, I could understand why the Anambra First Lady is so calm, yet deeply loved. A testament that genuine impact lives in the hearts of people, not in struggling for space on a campaign podium. This is why the Healthy Living drive has become a household practice in Anambra. People simply connected with Mrs. Soludo’s kindness and generosity of spirit beyond her position as Anambra’s First Lady. She carries something larger than political influence, something bigger than patronage embedded in political allegiance. Anambra’s First Lady carries the weight of passionate service, powered by her love for people, and it is palpable.
By the time the meeting ended, I was fully convinced I had unraveled the secret to Governor Soludo’s laser focus. Thank you, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo.
Anambra is blessed and in good hands.
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