There is definitely a good reason the Holy Book rates love above every other commandment. It is even more explicit when the bible admonishes in Mark 12:31 to “Love our neighbour as we love yourself.”Love defines the high and lows of human existence. It is the very essence of life. A divine light that can never be doused by man’s worst shortcomings. Yet, love comes naturally. It’s symbolic principles appear more creative than learned. A significant aspect of our relationship with one another is driven by love. Sacrifice, a major virtue of life, just like charity and kindness, is predicated on love. Love is unquenchable.
It is such pure love that Anambra Governor’s wife, Mrs Frances Nonyelum Soludo, involuntarily radiates. In actions, deeds and words, the Anambra First Lady represents what Mother Teresa of Calcutta described as “doing small things with great love.” She takes up, with sparkling emotion, the responsibilities of love, of motherhood and benevolence. But it is not in showing immense passion for the welfare of others that Mrs Soludo finds her inestimable difference. It’s rather in her pattern of doing it: low light and obscure, yet as large as her heart. She sets out for each charity affair not attracted to adulating publicity and simulated behaviours that often trail such outings in this part of the world.
On August 2, 2022, Mrs Soludo met with the duo of seventeen-year-old Chimkamnayo Olisaemeka and twelve-year-old Emeka Okoye, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia. While Chimkamnayo, survived years of horrible domestic abuse in the hands of his uncle and wife, who fostered him for many years. Emeka, was involved in serial cases of child trafficking. Shortly after interacting and dining with both kids, the governor’s wife promised to immediately take up their academic sponsorships and ordered for textbooks for them on the spot. Today, Chimkamnayo is in SS2 in one of the best secondary schools in Awka, while Emeka is currently in Basic Three in a private school also in the capital city. Both kids are doing well in their respective classes, eager to make their sponsor proud. The governor’s wife remains in constant touch with them, as well as with other kids living in a state-owned children’s home.
It was at the same children’s home that the governor’s wife spent hours on her birthday, chatting and sharing prayers and gifts with the kids. On December 19, 2022, she hosted the children from the orphanage home to a Christmas party at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, and presented them with gifts. In this woman the children see a mother close enough to read their deep heartbeats. A day before that, Mrs Soludo received Esther, the 13-year-old girl who was molested and impregnated by her 75-year-old guardian in Awka. Esther had already given birth to a baby girl. While promising to get justice for the kid, the Anambra First Lady promised to take full sponsorship of the girl and her baby’s welfare. Esther is currently gearing up to return to school, while the governor’s wife has promised that her child would be given the best of care.
The day after meeting Esther, Mrs Soludo received a nursing mother who gave birth while taking shelter in one of the holding camps during the last flood disaster. Lacking a means of survival at the time, and having given birth under the most difficult condition, Mrs Soludo took up her case, provided her with capital to start off a business and be able to take care of her baby. The truth is that the Anambra Governor’s wife disseminates deep emotions in each of her charity moves. Favour, a 9-year-old girl residing in the orphanage had received gifts from the governor’s wife. It was an unexpected evening for the orphan. Overwhelmed, the little girl asked to speak with and pray for the donor — Mrs Soludo. Midway into her touching prayer, Favour broke down in heavy tears. Everyone around couldn’t resist the urge of an emotional evening. Not many people understand it, but Mrs Soludo lives for inspiring moments. She is more about touching lives and motivating people to do the same. She leaves you on the brim of irresistible emotion; in tears of joy.
Mother Teresa was right: “At the end of life, we are going to be judged on the basis of our love for one another.” Nonye Soludo lives by that amazing norm!
Written by DANIEL EZEIGWE
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