By MaryAnn Chukwuma
Children are the foundation of every society, and their well being depends on deliberate investments in education, healthcare, protection and social welfare. In Anambra State, the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo has continued to prioritise policies and programmes aimed at safeguarding the rights and future of every child.
One of the administration’s landmark interventions is its free education policy, which has removed financial barriers for thousands of children, enabling more pupils to enrol in school, remain in the classroom and access quality education.
At the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Governor Soludo reaffirmed his commitment to protecting children’s rights, declaring that no child should be engaged in street hawking during school hours, describing the denial of education as unacceptable in a state where basic education is free, pledging stricter enforcement against practices that deprive children of learning opportunities.
The governor announced plans to provide land for the establishment of a Juvenile Correctional Centre, introduce a toll-free line for reporting child abuse, strengthening inclusive education for children living with disabilities.
Through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the state government has continued to protect vulnerable children by responding to cases of abuse, combating child trafficking and child labour, discouraging street hawking, promoting children’s rights and supporting family reunification where appropriate.
Complementing these efforts, the Wife of the Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, through her Healthy Living Initiative, has continued to champion programmes that promote child nutrition, healthy lifestyles, education and safe environments for children across the state.
The administration has invested in safer learning environments and digital education initiatives, including Code Anambra and Kids Code Anambra, equipping children with digital literacy and innovation skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven world.
These initiatives reflect a holistic approach to child protection—one that goes beyond legislation to create opportunities for children to learn, grow and realise their full potential.
As Anambra continues to pursue sustainable development under the Solution Agenda, investing in children remains a critical step toward building a safer, more prosperous and inclusive future for the state.
MaryAnn Chukwuma is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
