OCMM is thrilled to congratulate one of our most dedicated volunteers, Esther Ochanya Odumu, on her remarkable achievement. Esther graduated from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) on May 17th, 2024, with an LL.B Law degree, and received two prestigious awards: The 2024 AUN Stallion Service Award and the AUN Community Service Award. These accolades honor her unwavering devotion and commitment to community service both within and around her university.

Esther’s journey with OCMM has been marked by her keen interest in learning and her boundless enthusiasm for service. During her time as a student, she participated in numerous medical missions in some of the most remote communities in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Her roles in patient registration, organization, data collection, management, and photography were instrumental in ensuring the success of these missions.

Witnessing the dire state of health infrastructure in the low-income communities we serve ignited Esther’s passion for medical law. In response, she founded the Health Law Society at AUN in her third year. Her dedication culminated in her final year project, “Legal frameworks for Healthcare Infrastructure Development in Nigerian Communities: A Comparative Analysis,” a significant contribution to the field of health law.

Esther’s commitment to service extends beyond her academic pursuits. Among her many initiatives, she led a menstrual hygiene project, educating 100 participants and providing them with essential supplies. She also spearheaded an oral hygiene project for 50 boys, equipping them with knowledge and necessary hygiene tools. Furthermore, Esther volunteered to teach English to out-of-school girls and women through the Atiku’s Institute for Development (AID) Feed and Read Program and local community efforts in Yola.

Her philanthropic endeavors include paying school fees for orphans, providing school uniforms to aid children’s return to school, offering financial assistance for a terminally ill man, and distributing clothing and bedding to women in an IDP camp and those affected by a fire outbreak.

Esther’s motivation is clear: to ensure everyone has access to basic healthcare and a healthy living environment. Her aspirations are to become a powerful advocate for the voiceless in health matters and bridge the healthcare gap between affluent and low-income communities.
OCMM is immensely proud of Esther’s achievements and her relentless spirit of service. We look forward to witnessing her continued impact and the positive change she will undoubtedly bring to the world. Congratulations, Esther!