The Wife of the Anambra Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has stressed the need to equip children with cooking skills to enable them prepare nutritious meals and reduce dependence on junk food.
Soludo made the call on Saturday at the 2025 Healthy Living Cooking and Quiz Competition held in Awka.
She said the initiative was inspired by concerns that many young people lacked basic cooking skills, a gap that often pushed them towards unhealthy eating habits with negative health consequences.
According to her, exposing children to healthy eating practices at an early age would help safeguard their wellbeing.
“Teaching young people how to prepare healthy meals at their formative stage is crucial to protecting their health and preserving our fast-fading food culture.
“I am pleased with the outcome of this competition, and the emergence of a male student as the winner highlights the need for parents to stop assigning household chores based on gender.
“I urge parents to give children equal training and opportunities at home so they can grow at the same pace and live more independent lives,” she said.
At the event, Ikechukwu Ifechukwu, a student of St Charles College, Onitsha, emerged winner of the cooking competition.
Ifechukwu defeated female contestants from schools in the Aguata and Nnewi education zones, who placed second and third respectively.
The contestants selected their recipes and prepared assorted dishes from start to finish within one hour and 20 minutes. They were assessed on hygiene, taste, presentation and service.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said the competition was designed to instil the values of healthy eating, discipline, teamwork and creativity through practical cooking and nutrition education.
Obidike added that the initiative also stimulated interest in careers in nutrition and hospitality, while encouraging young people to embrace wellness as a lifestyle.
Speaking after receiving his prize, Ifechukwu thanked the governor’s wife for providing a platform for students to learn and showcase their cooking skills.
He attributed his success to lessons from his mother, who taught him the basics of cooking.
The event also featured a quiz competition involving students from the six education zones in the state.
In the quiz segment, Nnewi zone emerged first, followed by Otuocha and Aguata in second and third positions respectively.
Soludo presented cash prizes to the winners.
