Empowering Grassroots Champions: Anambra Youths and Women Ignite Statewide Movement for Health and Wellness

 

A powerful wave of grassroots health advocacy is gaining momentum in Anambra State as the Youth Wing of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) rolls out a bold initiative to promote healthy living across all 179 communities. The initiative, officially launched during a one-day seminar at the ASATU Secretariat located within the Old Government House, Awka, signals a renewed commitment to community-based health promotion and civic empowerment.

Youth leaders and lady organisers from every local government area gathered for the landmark event, which saw the formal inauguration of the “Healthy Living Advocates”—a newly formed network of young change-makers entrusted with the task of instilling wellness culture at the grassroots level.

The centerpiece of the event was the unveiling of the Healthy Living Advocacy Handbook, a resource-rich guide crafted to support advocates in implementing localized campaigns centered on hygiene, fitness, nutrition, and civic duty. Attendees received practical insights on how to utilize the handbook to spark community engagement, address common health issues, and promote sustainable wellness practices.

During his keynote address, Comrade Ken Okoli, President General of ASATU Youths, challenged the youth to take ownership of public health in their communities. He stressed that the effectiveness of health campaigns hinges on youth-driven communication strategies rooted in culture and relatable storytelling.

“Young people have the energy and the voice that resonate in every corner of our towns,” Okoli stated. “Our approach goes beyond personal wellness—this is a civic revolution. We’re linking healthy living with governance, accountability, and long-term development.”

According to him, the initiative aligns closely with the vision of Dr. Nonye Soludo, the wife of the governor, whose Healthy Living project has garnered state-wide acclaim for its impact on maternal and child health. Comrade Okoli further expressed ASATU Youths’ full endorsement of Governor Charles Soludo’s anticipated second-term bid, citing continued progress in healthcare delivery and social policy as reasons for their support.

Mrs. Ify Obinabo, Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, took the stage with a message that echoed optimism and urgency. Speaking on the theme “Raising Healthy Living Advocates in the 179 Communities in Anambra State,” she underscored the need for a people-centered approach to health development.

She highlighted the Soludo administration’s commitment to women and children, referencing pivotal policies such as free basic education, free antenatal care, and free childbirth services. These policies, she remarked, create a foundation for community empowerment when paired with education and advocacy.

“True healthy living is built at the family level,” Obinabo said. “Thanks to Dr. Nonye Soludo’s grassroots engagements, we’re seeing more women emerging as health influencers, positively shaping behaviors and attitudes in their homes.”

Lady Joy Otti, Acting Leader of the ASATU Women Wing, delivered a spirited address that acknowledged the transformative role of women in the success of community initiatives. She reaffirmed the women’s commitment to embedding the message of health and wellness throughout the towns and villages of Anambra.

“When women lead, results follow,” she affirmed. “Our lady organisers will not stop until every community breathes the message of wellness. We’re not just preaching health—we’re institutionalizing it.”

Participants also benefitted from a dynamic workshop session facilitated by experts from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). The training focused on leadership development, strategic planning, and communication skills—all tailored toward enhancing participants’ capacity to become proactive health champions in their respective communities.

Voices from the gathering shared a sense of renewed purpose. For many, the event was more than a seminar—it was the beginning of a movement. Youth leaders left not just with a handbook, but with a mission: to influence, inspire, and transform health narratives in Anambra State.

As the Healthy Living Advocates return to their various communities, they carry the weight of a new responsibility—one that blends the spirit of volunteerism with the urgency of public health. Their work in the coming months could shape the future of wellness in Anambra and serve as a model for community engagement across Nigeria.

With a blend of policy support, youth leadership, and women’s grassroots mobilization, the state appears poised to achieve not just healthier citizens, but a more socially conscious and participatory democracy.