Wife of the Anambra State Governor and founder/CEO of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Dr 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.
Soludo made the call on Friday at the 2026 August Meeting and Empowerment Summit organised by the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, where more than 500 women and youths received vocational equipment and other forms of economic support.
Addressing participants, Soludo condemned the practice of keeping children of any age as domestic workers, describing it as unacceptable.
She urged the public to adopt 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.
Soludo also commended the empowerment initiative, describing investments in practical livelihood opportunities as essential to strengthening families and communities.
She said the distribution of sewing machines, baking ovens, salon equipment, motorcycles, shuttle buses and financial assistance demonstrated the importance of equipping people with the means to earn a living and become economically independent.
“When we equip the right hands to earn, create and grow, we strengthen entire families and communities,” she said.
The 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 for 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 enable beneficiaries to build sustainable livelihoods, increase household incomes and contribute to economic development in their communities.
The Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Mrs Amaka Obi, said the programme reflected her administration’s commitment to investing in residents 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 youths with the skills and resources needed to become entrepreneurs, create jobs and contribute to the local economy.
She added that empowering individuals, particularly women and youths, would strengthen families, transform communities and promote sustainable development.
According to her, investment in human capital is critical to tackling unemployment, improving household incomes and raising living standards, while advancing the people-centred development agenda of the Anambra State Government.
Beneficiaries and 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 Dr Soludo for their support, while the event also renewed calls for stronger community action to protect children from abuse, exploitation and violence.
