Many years ago, when the people of Isuofia Community chose “Mmiriguruegu” as a traditional praise name for Mrs Frances Nonye Soludo, it was not just an adulation of her beauty. While that counted, it was and has always been significantly about Mrs Soludo’s infectious meekness and humility. Long before her husband’s breakthrough in public service, the Isuofia beauty queen had won hearts with her liberal and passionate lifestyle. True to her alias, an analogy of a quiet and dignified water, Mrs Soludo is a mirror of simplicity and wisdom.
As the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo gradually takes shape, it is essential to commend his wife’s efforts from the background. The governor’s wife has been able to develop her own work model, distant from the usual political charade and made-up publicity that characterize such position. As an advocate of social reforms, Mrs Soludo stands at the front of campaigns to restore social order and build a strong wall around the vulnerable group like women and children. She takes most speech opportunities to voice her concerns about the litany of issues facing this group in a modern day society, and does not fail to state her determination to exhaust all interventive channels.
Just recently, Mr Soludo shared the dinning table with two kids who were rescued from deplorable social circumstances. While Master Chimkamnayo Olisaemeka, 17, survived years of horrible domestic abuse in the hands of his uncle and wife, whom he lived with, Emeka Okoye, 12, survived a complicated child trafficking scandal. Both kids, who were rescued by the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, were brought on the request of the governor’s wife who spent hours listening to them as they told their stories. Moved by the kids’ brilliance, Mrs Soludo immediately took up their scholarships and placed order for books to be supplied to them while they wait for enrollment when schools resume this month. It was there that she reassured them that she would leave no stone unturned in seeing that they achieve their life’s goals, and become perfect example of the Anambra story.
These traits of compassion come natural with Mrs Soludo. According to her, living for others is also the best form of life. A first class student of the great Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the governor’s wife believes in the power of humaneness and mankind. It is her natural approach to soft side of governance that makes her a model of admiration for all Anambra women. The most resounding lesson from each of her actions emanates from Saint Teresa’s notable philosophy that “love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.” Mrs Soludo lives this message and exemplifies it every day in actions and words.
The fact remains that the governor’s wife operates the humane side of Professor Soludo’s government. She has begun on a unique note, consistently beaming the mother’s light on her husband’s efforts. She supports where she could and takes action when needed. She is the new face of an ideal governor’s wife. Calm, wise and principled. An epitome of peace and self-effacingness.
When during one of her meetings with women groups in Anambra State she pledged to give export support to any commercial female farmer in the State whose farm produce pass organic assessments, Mrs Soludo was going the extra mile in throwing extra motivation to co-women. Taking note of the agricultural development master plan of her husband’s administration, the governor’s wife understands the place of women in the whole process, and is determined to see that any female farmer in Anambra State that is doing it right succeeds. A long time farmer herself, the governor’s wife knows, firsthand, the gains of modern day agriculture and how women can explore the vast economic opportunities therein.
The truth is that Mrs Soludo takes a different seating from those that preceded her. Driven principally by discipline and foresight, she has always been there, in deep background, illuminating the grand stage. Not attracted to politics of clout and flattery, Mrs Soludo understands each alphabet of due process. Her impact on Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s New Anambra Project is one that salt plays in the culinary art. True to her name, Mmiriguregu comes from a worldview that prioritizes cool brilliance.
WRITTEN BY DANIEL EZEIGWE
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