A small table, a big promise

Barbara Madu, co-founder of the Fistula Care Initiative, is a committed and results-oriented professional with a strong interest in strategy, project management and administrative planning. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Qualifying Certificate from the Nigerian Law School, and is pursuing an MBA in Global Management at the International Graduate Center, Hochschule Bremen, in Germany.

With a passion for driving growth and creating positive change, Barbara brings a unique perspective to the organisation as its Board Chair. Her leadership and coordination have led to the successful delivery of advocacy programmes, conferences and key stakeholder partnerships, including with hospitals and government organisations, reaching over 4,000 women across Nigeria.

She is also the Deputy Director General of the Human Rights Defenders and Protectors Association of Nigeria, which supports survivors of human rights abuses in Nigeria.

Nkasike is a lawyer and chartered arbitrator, and a co-founder of the Fistula Care Initiative. She earned her Bachelor of Laws from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, before becoming a Barrister at Law after passing the Nigerian Law School's Bar exams.

She has over five years of experience in management, strategic planning and social development, and a track record of leading cross-functional teams to meet and exceed project goals in the public and private sectors. She was previously Head of Legal at African Women Power Network, and one of the pioneer team members of the AWP Vendor Program, a high-impact training programme that equipped women vendors to supply large retailers such as Shoprite, Miniso Nigeria and Next Cash 'n' Carry.

Nkasike has always wanted to make women's lives easier in any way she can; her LLB thesis researched the legal framework protecting women against domestic violence in Nigeria. After seeing the film Dry by Stephanie Linus-Okereke, she became interested in vesico-vaginal fistula and joined Barbara in founding this organisation. She is now working on a Master's in Law focused on Medical and Health Law.

Odinakachukwu Ndukwe is a public health professional and advocate whose work is driven by a simple but deeply held conviction: that those most overlooked by the system deserve the loudest voices speaking on their behalf.

As Executive Director of the Fistula Care Initiative, she leads the organisation's strategy, partnerships and programme oversight, working to advance maternal health, prevent obstetric fistula, and advocate for women whose experiences are too often invisible in broader health conversations. She previously led the Generation for Maternal Health (Gen-M) Fellowship, a youth-led advocacy programme that trained 17 advocates and reached over 400 women and girls across 8 Nigerian states.

Odinakachukwu holds a Master of Science in Public Health and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, a reflection of her belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for lasting change. By background she is a medical laboratory scientist, bringing clinical grounding to her public health work. She has also built experience in content marketing and health communication, making complex health information accessible to everyday audiences.

Her work at FCI is personal as much as it is professional, rooted in the belief that systemic change begins with making sure the people most affected by a problem are not left out of the conversation about solving it.

Pamilerin Akabunwa is a first-class graduate of the Nigerian Law School and obtained her Bachelor of Laws from Afe Babalola University. She is a Senior Associate at Famsville Solicitors, where she leads the firm's Corporate Immigration and Compliance Practice team.

She has a keen interest in social development and volunteers with several organisations championing development.

As Secretary of the Fistula Care Initiative, she makes sure meetings are well organised and minuted, keeps accurate records, supports administration, and upholds the legal requirements of official documents, among other responsibilities.

Ogechi is a medical laboratory scientist and a research enthusiast. She obtained her Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Jos, Plateau State.

She is passionate about seeing women thrive and live healthier, better lives: lives that do not include having to deal with vesico-vaginal fistula.

Chinaza is an economist, an accountant, a policy analyst and a fashion designer. She obtained her first degree in economics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and went on to qualify as a chartered accountant (ACA) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) after her service year.

As Head of Accounts and Finance, she leads FCI's finance operations, including high-level finance tasks and relationships. She plays a key role in researching, developing and implementing financial and budgetary policies and procedures, and in rolling out frameworks for sound financial management and systems that create transparency and accountability.

Chinaza enjoys platforms that educate people on sexual and reproductive health, as well as study and research. She also loves creating beautiful fashion pieces.

Joseph Elu Ovie 'Overmars' is a creative artist, podcaster and consultant, and heads FCI's Media and Communications department. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and has worked in advertising, public relations and the creative industry since then.

He learned about fistula from a conversation with Barbara, and has since volunteered with and been part of the Fistula Care Initiative. He sings and dances for fun.

Caleb is a legal practitioner with a strong record of building and winning cases. With a Bachelor of Laws and a Call to Bar from the Nigerian Law School, he has a deep knowledge of the intricacies of the law.

He is also certified as a Regulatory and Compliance Specialist by the University of Pennsylvania, which gives him expertise in guiding organisations through regulatory requirements and helping them avoid legal pitfalls.

As an associate at Fakunle Olagoke SAN & Co, he conducts due diligence and corporate searches, provides legal opinions and minimises risk exposure for clients. As General Counsel at the Fistula Care Initiative, he provides legal guidance on a wide range of issues, including regulatory compliance, corporate governance and risk management.