Every high achiever’s success story is exceptionally unique. It is naturally designed to be so. It gets even more intriguing when the preceding events enjoy a touch of glamour and grace. But then, success is relative. Its understanding varies from one person or society to another. While the contemporary society views success as primarily the acquisition of wealth, great feats or professional breakthroughs, there are nonconservatives who view the term from a very modest and generous perspective. This school of thought reflects what Humaira Syed, the renowned American personal development coach meant when she concluded that “by focusing on your life’s passion; You can turn your passion into your story and then turn your story into a success story.” That is where the Anambra Governor’s wife, Mrs Frances Nonyelum Soludo, rightly falls.
On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, a powerful delegation of Rotary International, District 9142 visited Mrs Soludo at the governor’s official residence, Amawbia. Rotary International, District 9142 comprises Rotary Clubs in the five South Eastern States and Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in the South South. It was at the event that Mrs Soludo was officially inducted into the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship of Rotary International. She was also recognized as Polio Ambassador by the same association. For clearer details, according to Rotary history, the Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.
In Mrs Soludo’s case, the one thousand dollars donation criterion was shouldered by the leadership of Rotary International, District 9142. As the delegation explained during the honorary recognition, the Anambra Governor’s wife has through her
NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, pushed a crusade that supports the foundational goals of Rotary International. A special emphasis was made on her charitable works and campaigns for healthy living which have spanned across eighteen years. Furthermore, Mrs Soludo’s recognition as a Polio Ambassador by the association re-validates her commitment to the movement to completely eradicate the sickness in Nigeria. Being that the Anambra Governor’s wife takes deep passion in conversations and policies that support health, the awards meant more of expectations for better results to her than the usual cheers.
Standing out as the only governor’s wife in the history of Anambra State to have driven the most impactful and significant social crusade, Mrs Soludo views her healthy living project rather modestly. For her, there should never be any applause for a cause that seeks to change a wrong narrative in human behaviour. Her healthy living crusade is a movement of passion that shares no relationship with usual political or partisan affiliations that those of her peers enjoy. Not ideally a woman who fancies politics, Mrs Soludo aims to use the limited resource of her NGO to promote the right health habits in all Anambra homes. She hopes to entrench healthy living as a household culture and use it to set a pace for societal and environmental reforms. The Paul Harris Fellowship does not just recognize that truth. It informs the governor’s wife that her ‘little’ efforts are appreciated beyond the walls of Anambra State.
Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo operates distinctly, and with a clear-cut vision too. It reflects extensively the humanism of the Anambra Governor’s wife. Rotary International understands that even better. Mrs Soludo remains the first governor’s wife in Nigeria who would have her Paul Harris Fellowship stake taken care of by the association itself. The reason is not far. As Mrs Soludo’s post on her social media accounts after the event read: “I’ve always been a great admirer of the historical works of Rotary International, including those that have produced significant results in areas of global health and charity. Most significant is Rotary’s breakthroughs in polio eradication in sub-Saharan Africa.”
These rare recognitions are only but a push for her to keep doing more. Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo is all about achieving important results. Partnerships such as those with reputable organizations like Rotary International, are what she is always looking out for. The Anambra Governor’s wife is now to be officially addressed as “Mrs Frances Nonye Soludo (PHF).”
Written by DANIEL EZEIGWE
Comments are closed for this post.