Workers Urged to Stay Healthy, Think Smart at NLC Anambra Awareness Workshop
By Chiamaka Edokwe
As part of the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration, the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Anambra State Council, held a one-day Health and Economic Awareness Workshop in Awka with the theme: Reclaiming the Civic space in the midst of Economic Hardship.
Representing Her Excellency, Dr. Nonye Soludo, Dr. Ngozi Eke of the Ministry of Health and the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, emphasized daily exercise, backyard farming for nutrition and drug-free living. She outlined six pillars of wellness; Fitness, Healthy diet, Avoiding drug abuse, Reproductive health, Personal and environmental hygiene and Basic Life Saving Skills (BLSS) while a Red Cross official, Mrs. Nkechinyere Nnaji, demonstrated CPR techniques.
Declaring the event open on behalf of Governor Charles Soludo, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Protocol Officer, Mr. Chinedu Nwoye,stressed that discipline is key to both healthy living and financial success. He urged workers to think outside the box and create sustainable side hustles.
Taking the floor afterwards,the Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State Small Business Agency,Clement Chukwuka, explained ASBA’s mandate,highlighting the Civil Servant Retirement Entrepreneurial Loan Scheme – a strategic initiative of the Soludo administration designed to prepare civil servants for life after retirement through business ownership.
He urged civil servants to approach the scheme with honesty of purpose, ”Loans are not for rent, school fees or luxury. They are seed funds for sustainable enterprise”,he said, while outlining the loan access process through registered cooperatives and necessary certifications.
The Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC)Anambra Chairman,Comrade Humphrey Nwafor in an interview, described the event as a rallying call for workers not only to demand better conditions but also to take control of their health and economic future.
NUJ Chairman and NLC executive, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, commended ASBA’s efforts and assured that workers would engage the agency to access the loan scheme.
The event underscored a powerful takeaway: Anambra workers must be healthy, financially smart, and civically engaged to thrive and lead in challenging times.
Other officials in attendance were the Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Chinwe Achugbu, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, NUT Chairperson amongst others.
