There is no clearly written trace or historical agreement to the origin of August Meeting in south eastern Nigeria. However, available historical details suggest that the annual mother of all women’s meeting shares origin with the period of Igbo women’s socio-cultural renaissance. The factuality or flaw in that reference does not, however, deny the influence of the ageless tradition on today’s society. The historical truth is that August Meeting has evolved from a normal socio-religous meeting into an indispensable all-mother’s convention. As Igbo women return to their matrimonial rural hometowns to participate in the annual event, there is a noticeable zeal, vigour and preparedness that follow up. That is the spirit of August Meeting.
In Anambra State, over the past years, each governor’s wife has adopted a uniquely suitable socio-political pattern for commemorating each year’s August Meeting. The traditional plan is to convene women from all quarters of the state, address peculiar topics, and then bid them a successful outing. That formulaic pattern, however potent, was lacking in clear-cut focus, precision and enthusiasm. It did not in the most excellent reasons reflect the passion with which thousands of Anambra mothers approach the annual date. Again, considering the evolution of August Meeting, most sociological perspectives have adopted it as one of the most effective vehicles for social change, cohesion and development. Perhaps, it is that philosophy that wives of some past governors in Anambra State have tried repeatedly to propagate.
However, the approach has changed greatly over the past year. In August 2022, Mrs Nonye Soludo performed her first official August Meeting as a governor’s wife, hosting different groups from across traditional women’s associations in Anambra State. Though it was her first, Mrs Soludo showed from the outset that she was out for real business. It was the first time that a governor’s wife would host each women group coming for the August interaction in the main banquet hall of the governor’s residence. By opening her doors for every Anambra woman, Mrs Soludo did not just involuntarily announce her simple life, she reminded them that the governor’s residence belongs to every indigene of the state. One of the key topics discussed during last year’s meeting was opportunities for women in regenerative agriculture.
With the coconut and palm tree revolution of the present state government at its early stage, the governor’s wife revealed the generational benefits engaging in the farming vocation, and how women can beat poverty through it.
She uses herself as an example. As a successful farmer herself, Mrs Nonye Soludo believes that every woman too can. But she must be deliberate and face it with passion. On August 1, 2023, the Anambra governor’s wife kicked off the annual August fixture with an event tagged “Anambra Women Health Conference.” Organized by the Anambra State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over one thousand women attended the event. The aim of the conference was to set an agenda that would lead deliberations among the women during their August meetings. The subject matter was health – a topic that Mrs Soludo relishes with so much interest.
Discussions around health come with undistracted reception when they are brought to the ears of Anambra Governor’s wife. Mrs Soludo has often asserted that she wouldn’t mind getting woken up at “midnight” to discuss anything healthy living. That is how much passion she attaches to a cause she has lived for over seventeen years. From wielding healthy living as a passion, to transforming it into business. Then to making it a crusade, in what has now been universally known as “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo”. That was the central message in August, as Mrs Soludo aimed to use August Meetings to explore critical health concerns affecting women, children and the entire household. While she hosted Anambra women from across social, political, religious and cultural groups, the governor’s wife ensured to lay emphasis on elementary health habits.
Mrs Nonye Soludo has always had a unique way of doing things. Not a woman who enjoys traditional political approaches that are often formulaic, old-fashioned and lacking significant results. She has carved her own niche, and is masterfully following each vision with certain finesse. Her kind of August meeting is one that stretches farther than mere talks. She draws her purpose systemically to ensure that not one Anambra woman is left out. That is Nonye Soludo’s kind of August Meeting!
Written by DANIEL EZEIGWE
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