NEWS (The Sun) – OCI Foundation: Joy, excitement as Bingham medical student, others win national prizes in 2024 LAMS competition (29/1/25)

Courtesy: The Sun News

January 29, 2025 – by Enyeribe Ejiogu

Link to Original Story: OCI Foundation: Joy, excitement as Bingham medical student, others win national prizes in 2024 LAMS competition – First national prize winner, 2021, gets continental honour, to address African body

A combination of joy and excitement exploded on university campuses across the country, when OCI Foundation announced the names of the best 10 medical students who excelled in the 2024 LAMS (Literary Awards for Medical Students) Competition, which it holds annually in collaboration with the Auwal Shanono Foundation, the charity arm of the Nigeria Medical Students Association, NiMSA.

In the competition, Chimaobi Alexander Onyeike, a fourth-year medical student of Bingham University and native of Nlagu Village, Okealangwa Community in Obingwa Local Government Area, Abia State, scored 83% to win the national prize. The second position was won by Godswill Uzoechina Chidubem, student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State with a score of 77%.

For two consecutive times out three past attempts, Onyeike was among the top three finishers, before snapping up the national first prize worth N150,000 in the 2024 edition.

The other winners in the national were Anna Abraham Kudi (Gombe State University), Akinlus Oluwaseun Mercy (Bowen University), Osakue Osaze David (University of Benin), Abubakar Ismail Muhammad (Bayero University), Priscilla Philip Dipal (University of Maiduguri), Dayo Odediran (University of Ilorin), Lawal Imran Olayemi (Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti), and Onefie Majesty Ojirima (Benue State University).

Similarly, six other medical students won in the regional competition held for medical schools of federal, state and private universities in the Southeast. The first prize was won by Godswill Uzoechina Chidubem, just as he emerged second in the national competition.

It is to be noted that LAMS competition started at in 2020 as a regional competition, hence the regional edition was retained honour the origins of the intellectual challenge. In 2021, LAMS was expanded to allow medical students from across the country participate in the competition and make it more robust and more competitive. The national Nigeria LAMS Competition was named in honour of Auwal Shanano, late former president of NiMSA who died in active service. It has continued to grow with the competition getting tougher every succeeding year.

Clearly, OCI Foundation, the little acorn planted in Anambra State in 2016, to give brilliant students from financially challenged families scholarships that give them opportunity to take a good shot at achieving their dreams through academic excellence is determinedly growing into an oak, entrenching its roots deeply into the soil to stand strong and spreading its branches across Nigeria, setting up foreign locations to provide more shade and succour.

Nothing can be more evidential of the fast growing impact of OCI Foundation International than the recent honour bestowed on Mr Nater Paul Akpen, the first winner of the national prize in the LAMS competition instituted in 2021.

Barely two weeks ago, Akpen, a student of Benue State University Medical School, emerged one of the five winners of the African Sovereign Debt Justice Network (AfSDJN) Essay competition. The AfSDJN essay competition was open to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate (Masters and PhD) students currently enrolled in African universities. It was designed to encourage a new generation of students and early career researchers to build expertise on “sovereign debt issues” and also to draw scholarly and policy attention towards the “roles and effectiveness of national frameworks for debt contracting, management and accountability in Africa.”

Without a doubt the success of Akpen is further validation of OCI Foundation’s investment on, and sponsorship of, the LAMS, which it delivers annually to inspire literary prowess among future Nigerian medical doctors.

For his win, Akpen has been awarded a scholarship grant. He has also been invited by the “African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD)” to present his paper at the “Second African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD II)” in Malawi. His paper would be published on afronomicslaw.org.

In a WhatsApp chat with the Sun Newspaper, Onyeike expressed joy and his feelings about the award: “I have always loved writing. So, winning the OCI Foundation’s LAMS competition – Literary Awards for Medical Students – 2024 is a profound honour and an incredible milestone in my journey as both a medical student and a storyteller. This award recognizes not only my love for medicine but also my passion for raising awareness about health-related issues through writing.

“I was very surprised to have finished first place, because I was only just writing to become better. It has even inspired me to take my writing public on X.com (Twitter) – @chimaobionyeike.”

He commended the collaboration between OCI Foundation and NiMSA, revealing that he learnt about the completion through the medical students association.

“The dedication of OCI to improving public health awareness and encouraging excellence among medical students deeply inspired me to participate in the competition,” he said, and prayed for Prof Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora, Founder and President of the Foundation, saying, “God will continue to bless you for the impact you are making. It’s astonishing how you’re able to run things so effectively all the way from Australia. You are truly an inspiration to a lot of medical students. The essay competition alone has helped me grow unimaginably. I’ll forever be grateful.”

From the Northeast of Nigeria, pretty, slim and elegant Priscilla Philip-Dipal, a 600-Level medical student at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, whose stethoscope hung so naturally on her shoulders as seen in her WhatsApp profile picture, also claimed a spot on the national list of the best 10 winners.

Priscilla is an indigene of Borno State, from Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area, Nigeria. Recounting that she learnt about the competition through an announcement posted on the WhatsApp forum of her group, she told Sunday Sun: “What truly caught my attention was the foundation’s commitment to prevention. They identified critical issues in society and are proactively working to address them. I thought to myself, ‘If I can contribute through writing, I can play my part in advancing their prevention efforts.’ That inspired me to research and write about these issues. While working on my piece, I visualized real-life scenarios, especially concerning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). I reflected on situations where patients arrive at the emergency department already in critical condition or deceased.

“Often, when asked what actions were taken before seeking medical help, families explain that they rushed the patient to the hospital without administering any immediate care. In some cases, the patient’s airway might have been blocked, but they failed to notice. This highlighted to me the importance of equipping individuals with CPR and emergency response skills. Such knowledge could help save lives before medical professionals intervene.”

Continuing, Priscilla said: “I deeply appreciate the Founder and President of OCI Foundation, Prof Ifediora, for creating such a visionary platform. His dedication to preventive health initiatives such as the inclusion of breast and cervical cancer awareness in schools, youth campaigns through the NYSC, and scholarships for students has made a significant impact in the society. I am grateful for the opportunity to express my thoughts and contribute to this life-saving mission.”

Another national winner in the 2024 edition, Ojirima Majesty Onefie, is a fifth year medical student currently engaged in clinical training at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, and native of Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Benue State. In some sense, Onefie followed the footsteps of Nater, the first winner of LAMS national prize.

Despite his hectic schedule as a senior clinical student, Onefie still makes out time to render charity service in a shop affiliated to the fellowship he belongs. Doing this gives his volunteer spirit expression in a way that benefits the immediate locality. Touching lives and impacting society is at the core of the work and purpose of OCI Foundation as exemplified in its slogan, ‘We Rise, by Lifting Others.

Upon learning about the LAMS competition, Onefie revealed that he pushed aside distracting irritations. He said: “I researched for information to empower me with the relevant knowledge to put together my essay. I delved into making enquiries about the Foundation. By and large, this expounded my knowledge about the foundation and its activities.

“Like any other entrant, my desire was to clinch the grand prize. However, I am still honoured to be amongst the winners. From a host of hundreds of medical students (of whom are bright minds, experienced writers, and intelligentsia), I was able to emerge a part of the very few winners. This makes me happy in a thousand ways. It is simply, inexplicable.

“The BACERS (Basic Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Response Strategies) Project is the first of its kind around us. To have lent my voice in drawing up adoptable strategies for the BACERS project in my essay work gives me a sense of fulfillment. In synopsis, I am grateful to God Almighty.

“I thank Prof Ifediora for the great work he is doing. The host of heaven is happy, the sons of the earth are proud, and posterity will remember his labours for years to come.”

Onefie further reveals that inspiration for the BACERS project was birthed from the spate of sudden deaths and associated-health incidents.

“Many Nigerians have over time lost their lives through accidents, unexplained collapse, and a myriad of other tragic events. An example was the death of Junior Pope Nwodo, the Nollywood actor. If those around at the time when the incident happened had good understanding of emergency response, he probably would have been alive today.

“The aim of the programme is to empower Nigerians with the skill and knowledge to respond effectively and knowledgeably in critical moments. Ultimately, it is to reduce the frequency of unnecessary deaths.”

At the Bayero University, Kano, President, National Association of Katsina State Medical Students, Abubakar Ismail Muhammad, who is now in the sixth year of his programme is just months away from becoming a medical doctor.

Muhammad, a handsome and dashing student leader who always looks sartorial in his well-sown Danshiki kaftan, which incidentally is gaining popularity among non-northern Nigerians, hails from Zangon Daura, Katsina State.

Expectedly happy and excited about emerging as one of the national winners, Muhammad expressed his joy this way: “The 2025 LAMS Award is an honour that validates my passion for literature and medicine. It motivates me to continue exploring the intersection of art and science. It also moved me to think big in trying to provide a solution to our dear nation.”

In a WhatsApp chat with The Sun, Muhammad recalled the fortuitous way he learnt about the competition, saying: “I learned about the OCI Foundation through NiMSA when I was chief of staff to the director. The foundation has been doing exceptional work in promoting literary excellence among medical students.”

Filled with heartfelt gratitude for being recognized for the LAMS award, he lauds Prof Ifediora for the “foundation’s commitment to nurturing the creative talents of medical students is inspiring,” adding, “ Thank you for providing a platform that encourages us to pursue our passions. Thank you for what you have been doing to humanity.”

With two names that have the ring of celebrity, Lotanna Vanessa, could well pass for a Nollywood diva or even an international model. From just the name alone, you can hardly associate her with the antiseptic smell of hospitals. But not to worry, Vanessa is at home and getting prepped to use her medical skills to save lives and not be fixated with posting pictures on Instagram and videos on TikTok, like the average social media butterfly. Not at all! If she possibly deploys the power of social media, it would most probably be done to promote worthy purposes to benefit society.

Interestingly, Vanessa describes herself as a “young lady with an endless stream of potentials, some unraveled and many yet to be explored. I am driven by a passion for learning and a godly desire to make a meaningful impact.”

The energetic native of Umusiome, Nkpor in Idemili North LGA, Anambra State is a fourth-year medical student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, who learnt about the competition through a friend.

“It resonated with my enthusiasm for research and writing. I was drawn to the opportunity to showcase my skills and share my perspectives. Emerging as one of the winners of the OCI Foundation 2025 LAMS Award, I am motivated to keep writing and to seize every opportunity to share value and inspire others,” Vanessa excitedly told Sunday Sun in a WhatsApp chat, adding, “I am deeply grateful to the OCI Foundation for this recognition and to the President and Founder, Prof Chris Onyebuchi Ifediora, I offer my heartfelt appreciation for your vision and commitment to empowering young minds, and I am honored to be a part of this journey. I’m excited to see what the future holds!!”