DIAA Alumni Magazine

Amy’s Health Desk

with Amy-Precious Oriowo

Kidney Health • Week 1

Most people never think about their kidneys. Not once. Not unless something goes wrong.

And that’s understandable. Your kidneys don’t announce themselves. They don’t growl like an empty stomach or ache like a strained muscle.

They just work — quietly, continuously, every second of every day — while you sleep, eat, work, and go about your life.

But here’s the thing: understanding what your kidneys actually do is the first step toward protecting them. So let’s start there.

What exactly are your kidneys?

You have two kidneys — bean-shaped organs about the size of your fist, sitting on either side of your spine, just below your ribcage.

They’re small. Together, they weigh less than half a kilogram. But what they do is extraordinary.

Inside each kidney are roughly a million tiny filtering units called nephrons. Every day, your kidneys filter about 140 litres of blood. That’s the equivalent of filtering a full bathtub of fluid — and then doing it again, and again, all day long.

From that massive volume of blood, your kidneys produce about 1–2 litres of urine. The rest — the water, the salts, the nutrients — gets reabsorbed back into your body. Most filtered water and substances the body still needs are returned to the bloodstream, while wastes and excess water leave as urine.

WHAT DO YOUR KIDNEYS ACTUALLY DO?

Most people think kidneys only make urine. That’s like saying the heart only pumps blood — technically true, but it misses almost everything.

1. They filter waste from your blood.

Normal metabolism produces waste products such as urea and creatinine, while the kidneys also help remove excess acids and many medicines or their breakdown products. Your kidneys remove these from your blood so they don’t build up to dangerous levels. When kidneys fail, this waste accumulates — and that’s what makes people seriously ill.

2. They balance water and electrolytes.

Too much water? Your kidneys get rid of it. Too little? They hold onto it. They do the same with sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate — keeping each within the narrow range your body needs to function. This balancing act happens automatically, continuously.

3. They help regulate blood pressure.

Your kidneys control how much fluid stays in your body and release a hormone called renin that influences blood pressure. This is a two-way relationship: high blood pressure damages kidneys, and damaged kidneys make blood pressure harder to control. That’s why kidney health and heart health are deeply connected.

4. They support red blood-cell production.

Your kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which signals your bone marrow to make red blood cells. When kidneys are damaged, this signal weakens — and anaemia can follow. That’s why some people with kidney disease feel constantly tired.

5. They help keep your bones healthy.

Your kidneys activate vitamin D, which your body needs to absorb calcium. They also balance phosphate. When kidneys don’t work well, bones can become weak and brittle over time.

6. They help regulate acid levels.

Every cell in your body needs the right pH to function. Your kidneys remove excess acid and reabsorb bicarbonate to keep your blood from becoming too acidic.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOUR WHOLE BODY

Your kidneys don’t work in isolation. They’re connected to your heart, your bones, your blood, your blood pressure, and your energy levels.

This means:

• Kidney problems rarely stay kidney problems. They affect the entire body.
• Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure damage kidneys slowly, often without symptoms.
• Protecting your kidneys is also protecting your heart, your bones, and your long-term health.

WHY KIDNEY DISEASE DEVELOPS QUIETLY

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: you can lose a significant amount of kidney function and feel completely fine.

Kidney disease is often called a “silent” condition because symptoms usually appear only when damage is already advanced. There may be no pain or other obvious warning signs in the early stages. No obvious signal that says, “Something is wrong with your kidneys.”

This is exactly why awareness matters. Not because you should be afraid — but because knowing your risk and getting tested when appropriate can help detect kidney problems earlier, when treatment may help protect kidney function.

WHAT THIS SERIES WILL DO

Over the next couple weeks, we’ll walk through kidney health together:

• What puts your kidneys at risk
• What you can do every day to protect them
• What you should be careful about putting into your body
• Which warning signs deserve attention
• How kidney health is actually tested
• And how to build a personal plan for long-term kidney health

No fear. No jargon. Just clear, practical information you can use.

THIS WEEK’S TAKEAWAY

Your kidneys are working 24/7 — filtering, balancing, regulating, protecting. They don’t ask for attention. But they deserve it.

You don’t need to become an expert in kidney physiology. You just need to understand one thing: your kidneys matter, and protecting them is worth paying attention to.

Next week, we’ll look at who’s most at risk — and whether you might be one of them.

A QUICK REFLECTION BEFORE NEXT WEEK:

• Do you know if you have high blood pressure or diabetes?
• Has anyone in your family had kidney problems?
• When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked?

Hold onto those answers. They’ll matter in the next edition.

Editor’s note: This article is for general health education and does not replace personalised medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This month, September 2026, features Nnenna Helen John from Class of 2006.

Nnenna Helen John (Obianuka) is a lawyer, entrepreneur and emerging Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) professional whose career reflects continuous growth, reinvention and a willingness to evolve with the times.

After completing her secondary education at Dority, she proceeded to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, where she studied Law and graduated with an LLB in 2011.

She distinguished herself academically, emerging as the Best Graduating Foreign Student of the Faculty of Law for the 2010/2011 academic year. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012.

With over 14 years of experience in legal practice, Nnenna began her professional journey in litigation and dispute resolution, building a strong foundation in advocacy and legal practice.

Her professional experience includes facilitating international franchise arrangements involving Nigerian companies and multinational companies, advising on corporate and regulatory matters, and serving on the boards of corporate bodies. 

Her litigation and dispute resolution practice has also included representing a portfolio of clients in EFCC-related matters, both in pursuing the recovery of funds and in defending clients involved in investigations and proceedings.

This aspect of her practice has, informally, earned her the nickname “Madam EFCC” among some of her clients and colleagues.

She has also embraced entrepreneurship, establishing Gold Pine Attorneys and Consultants, her private legal and consulting firm, through which she provides legal, corporate, regulatory and advisory services.

Currently, Nnenna serves as a Legal Officer with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), a Federal Government of Nigeria parastatal, giving her the unique perspective of having worked across both private legal practice and the public sector.

Beyond traditional legal practice, Nnenna has undertaken training in Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, and is now focused on Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) — an area where law, technology, regulation and organisational risk intersect.

From litigation to corporate law, from private practice to public service, from entrepreneurship to technology and GRC, Nnenna continues to explore new areas of knowledge and challenge herself to acquire skills beyond the boundaries of the legal profession.

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as someone who, despite life’s hard knocks, has never allowed them to define or diminish me.

I have always chosen to see the possibilities in life, to press forward, and to remain conscious of the qualities and strength within me.

I am also someone who strives for excellence in whatever I do. I believe that my work should carry a distinctive mark of quality.

I like to put my own touch on what I do so that when you see the finished product, you can say, “Yes, Nnenna did this.”

I am intentional about showing up, making an impact and leaving a positive impression wherever I find myself. I suppose, in my own way, I like my presence to be felt without necessarily having to announce it.

What made you study Law in Ghana instead of Nigeria?

I had always wanted the experience of studying outside Nigeria, but as an only daughter, my parents were initially quite hesitant about sending me too far from home.

At the time, there were also frequent disruptions and strike actions in Nigerian universities.

Ghana therefore presented a very good middle ground: it gave me the opportunity to study outside Nigeria while still being relatively close to home and, importantly, offered the standard of education my parents wanted for me.

So, in many ways, studying in Ghana was a compromise between my desire for an international experience and my parents’ desire to keep their only daughter within reach.

You graduated as the Best Graduating Foreign Student of the Faculty of Law at KNUST. What did that achievement mean to you?

That achievement meant a great deal to me. It felt like a continuation of the academic excellence I had pursued throughout my education, from my early school years through secondary school.

I had always been very conscious of doing well academically, so going to Ghana and achieving that distinction was deeply fulfilling.

It was particularly meaningful because my father (may his soul rest in peace) used to remind me, rather dramatically, that the school fees he was paying for me in Ghana could probably pay the school fees of many students in Nigeria!

So, when I emerged as the Best Graduating Foreign Student, it was a very proud moment for both of us. My father was there to witness it, and he was incredibly happy and proud of me.

Looking back now, knowing that he was able to see that achievement and share that moment with me makes it even more precious.

For me personally, the achievement also reinforced something I had always believed about myself: that I had the capacity to excel, even when placed in a completely new environment.

It gave me greater confidence in my abilities and became a reminder that excellence is something I can carry with me wherever I go.

When you first chose Law, what kind of lawyer did you imagine you would become?

When I first chose law, I had the rather idealistic vision of becoming a lawyer who would fight for the downtrodden and champion justice for people who could not fight for themselves.

Interestingly, my actual career path took me somewhere somewhat different. I began my professional journey in litigation, which gave me valuable exposure to advocacy, dispute resolution and the realities of legal practice.

Along the way, however, I discovered that I had a natural affinity for corporate and commercial law, as well as legal drafting.

Corporate law had always intrigued me from my university and law school days. I found myself genuinely enjoying statutory legal frameworks and the structure behind businesses and transactions.

As for legal drafting, it came quite naturally to me. I have always enjoyed taking complex ideas, identifying the legal issues within them, and translating them into clear, precise and practical language.

I particularly enjoy the discipline of drafting because the choice of words matters, and a well-drafted document can anticipate issues, manage risks and provide clarity before a dispute ever arises.

So, while I initially imagined myself primarily as a courtroom advocate fighting individual battles for justice, my career has evolved into something broader.

I have found myself drawn to the intersection of law, business, regulation, governance and drafting — using the law not only to resolve disputes, but also to structure transactions, manage risk and create practical solutions.

At what point did you decide to establish Gold Pine Attorneys and Consultants?

I established Gold Pine Attorneys and Consultants in 2015, a few years after I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2012.

For me, establishing my own firm was a natural extension of both my legal training and my entrepreneurial upbringing. I come from a family with a strong entrepreneurial background, so the idea of building something of my own was not entirely unfamiliar to me.

Having gained some practical experience, I began to appreciate that being a lawyer does not necessarily mean being confined to traditional paid employment.

The profession gives you the opportunity to build your own practice, develop your clientele, and create a professional identity around your strengths and interests.

Gold Pine has therefore been an important part of my journey towards greater independence as a legal practitioner and entrepreneur.

It has allowed me to grow professionally, explore different areas of legal practice, and build something that reflects both my legal expertise and my entrepreneurial instincts.

You currently serve as a Legal Officer with the Industrial Training Fund. What attracted you to public service?

My decision to move into public service was largely driven by curiosity and a desire for a broader professional experience.

Having spent most of my career in private practice, I wanted to understand how law operates from the public-sector perspective. I wanted to experience a different institutional environment, understand its processes and contribute my legal experience within that space.

In many ways, it has given me the opportunity to see the practice of law from another angle. I have been able to draw from my private-sector experience while learning how legal, regulatory and governance issues are approached within a public institution.

So, for me, the move was less about leaving one world for another and more about expanding my understanding of the profession by experiencing both sides.

Having worked in both private and public sectors, what important differences have you observed in how organisations in the two sectors approach law?

One of the clearest differences I have observed is the pace and structure within which legal issues are addressed.

Private-sector organisations generally operate in a highly competitive environment, so there is often a strong emphasis on speed, commercial outcomes, innovation and proactive problem-solving.

Legal advice is frequently expected to anticipate risks while also finding practical ways to facilitate the organisation’s objectives.

The public sector, on the other hand, operates within a more structured framework, with greater emphasis on due process, established procedures, accountability and institutional safeguards.

Decisions often have to pass through several layers of consideration because they affect public resources and broader public interests.

Neither environment operates without its challenges, but working in both has taught me that the lawyer’s role is ultimately about understanding the environment in which an organisation operates and providing advice that is both legally sound and practically useful.

What sparked your interest in cybersecurity and ethical hacking?

My interest in cybersecurity grew from my realisation that the legal profession is evolving alongside technology.

One of the areas that particularly opened my eyes was data privacy.

During one of my continuing legal education programmes with the Nigerian Bar Association, I took a course relating to data privacy, and it made me appreciate just how much the intersection between law and technology was going to shape the future of professional practice.

That prompted me to explore cybersecurity and ethical hacking. I became interested in understanding not just the legal and regulatory side of technology, but also some of the technical concepts behind cybersecurity.

It eventually led me towards Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), which feels like a natural intersection of many of the areas I already enjoy — law, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, risk management and technology.

For me, it is another example of my belief that a professional career should not be static. I enjoy learning, acquiring new skills and finding ways to make seemingly different areas of expertise work together.

Looking back at your years at Dority, what memories or experiences have stayed with you?

One of the biggest things that has stayed with me from my years at Dority is the academic discipline.

Dority gave me a strong foundation in hard work, discipline, and the expectation that I should take my academics seriously. I carried that mindset with me to Ghana, and I believe it played a significant role in how I approached my studies at KNUST.

At the time, there was a perception among some people that Nigerian students studying in Ghana were predominantly children of wealthy or politically connected families who had gone there to enjoy a certain lifestyle.

I was determined, in my own little way, to challenge that perception and demonstrate that Nigerian students could distinguish themselves academically.

So, I showed up, worked hard, and let my academic performance speak for itself. Looking back, I see how much of that discipline has stayed with me.

It influences the way I approach my professional work today, particularly my emphasis on thoroughness, attention to detail, and ensuring that my work is well-considered and meets a high professional standard.

The environment may change, but the discipline, determination and desire to excel stay with you. Those are some of the values DISS gave me that I continue to carry today.

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Successful breastfeeding depends on the wider culture making it easier.

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Dr. Amaka Nnamani, Class of 2000, delivered a presentation titled “It Takes a Village, Not Just a Mother: Reimagining How We Support Breastfeeding” during DIAA’s monthly Knowledge Sharing Series.

The presentation produced many lessons.

1. Breastfeeding Is a Community Responsibility

Breastfeeding happens between a mother and a baby, but the conditions that determine whether it succeeds are created by many people.

Dr. Nnamani explained that partners, grandparents, relatives, friends, employers, doctors and the wider community can strengthen or weaken a mother’s ability to breastfeed.

A partner can help with household tasks, family members can encourage rather than criticise. Employers can provide privacy and safe storage for expressed milk.

These actions remove some of the physical and emotional pressure from the mother.

Breastfeeding works better when the people around the mother make it easier.

2. Colostrum Is Valuable and Newborns Don’t Routinely Need Water

Dr. Nnamani challenged two breastfeeding myths.

The first is that colostrum, the thick first milk produced after birth, is dirty and should be discarded. She described colostrum as concentrated immune protection for the newborn and explained why it is called the baby’s first vaccine.

The second is the belief that a newborn needs water, glucose water or herbal drinks before the mother’s milk fully comes in.

She explained that breast milk already supplies a newborn’s hydration needs and that unnecessary liquids may expose the baby to infection or disturb the body’s fluid balance.

Traditions should be respected, but we shouldn’t preserve practices that have been shown to be harmful.

3. Mothers Need Support, Not Guilt

Some women can’t produce enough milk. Some experience delayed milk production after a caesarean section. Others face medical or emotional circumstances that make exclusive breastfeeding difficult.

Breastfeeding has important benefits, but motherhood shouldn’t be a competition over who can suffer the most. A mother needs accurate information, realistic support and the freedom to make an informed decision about what is possible for her and her baby.

Advocacy should give women better options, not another reason to feel inadequate.

4. Working Mothers Need Support Systems

Dr. Nnamani described how short maternity leave, lack of pumping spaces, inadequate refrigeration and rigid working conditions can make continued breastfeeding very difficult.

A woman may want to breastfeed and find that her workplace makes it impossible.

This is where employers and policymakers become part of the breastfeeding village.

A private space for expressing milk, reasonable breaks, flexible work arrangements and safe refrigeration makes a difference. Maternity leave and paternity leave can give families time to establish routines and share responsibilities during the most demanding early weeks.

When workplaces are designed as though employees never become parents, mothers are forced to solve a system problem individually.

5. We Need to Update the Traditional Support System

Dr. Nnamani discussed omugwo, the Igbo tradition in which a mother or older female relative supports a woman after childbirth.

Her point was that African communities already have a support system, but the challenge is to preserve the care and shared responsibility while updating practices that are based on outdated information.

Grandmothers and aunties can become powerful breastfeeding advocates when they understand why early breastfeeding, colostrum and exclusive breastfeeding matter. Fathers can become active partners. Children can grow up seeing breastfeeding as ordinary rather than strange.

Culture isn’t fixed. It changes when people learn, discuss and do something differently.

Memorable Quote from the Presentation

“Culture is written by the people around the mother, not by the mother alone.”