Healthcare advocacy and child support took the spotlight on Friday night in Abuja as Dr. Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra State Governor, was named the 2025 Humanitarian First Lady of the Year in Healthcare and Child Support at the Nigerian Humanitarian Awards & Magazine ceremony.

The recognition was anchored on her flagship initiative, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, a programme that has grown into a household brand in Anambra State by promoting wellness, fitness, and preventive healthcare. The weekly community workouts and awareness campaigns have drawn widespread participation, particularly among young people and families.

In her acceptance speech, Dr. Soludo said the award symbolised both recognition and responsibility. “I couldn’t be any less grateful for the grace of consistency and support. Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo has come to stay. For each laurel and accolade that comes our way, we take them in the manner of greater expectations. This one is special,” she said.

She dedicated the award to the programme’s community of participants and to children in Anambra State. “To all of you who come out each Saturday morning to work out with me, and to all the beautiful children in Anambra whose lives and futures have been reassured by what we do, this is for you. You are the pride of what we do,” she added.

Founder of the Nigerian Humanitarian Awards & Magazine, Emmanuel Anabueze, praised Soludo’s approach as a model for how first ladies can influence public health. “Dr. Nonye Soludo has redefined what it means to serve as a First Lady. Her initiatives have directly touched lives, restored dignity, and inspired healthier living for children, women, and families across Anambra State. We are proud to celebrate her as a model of impactful humanitarian leadership,” he said.

The Abuja ceremony, attended by policymakers, development partners, and humanitarian actors, reinforced the growing role of civic-led healthcare initiatives in complementing government services. Organisers noted that platforms like Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo demonstrate how personal advocacy can transform into a social movement with lasting community impact.