February 5, 2026

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HISTORY OF OSDA

BY GERALD ONYEKACHI EZE

What is today known as Oghe Social Development Association (OSDA) Abuja, was formed in Suleja, Niger State in 1984 by Oghe indigenes resident in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

The reason was not far-fetched. Suleja provided accommodation for early arrivals of the territory when Abuja was named the Federal Capital in 1976. 

Interestingly, until 1978, Suleja was known as Abuja Emirate. Abuja was the name of the founder and first Emir who ruled the Emirate. The former inhabitants of the area were believed to have migrated from Northern Nigeria following the holy war inspired by Shehu Usman Dan Fodio in Hausaland in the 19th century.

The migrants were led by one Abubakar (Abu for short), who later became the Emir of the new settlement. And because he was fair in complex, he was nicknamed 'Ja' (Hausa name for red). Abuja therefore, took its name from this man's name - 'Abu' (Abubakar), and 'Ja' (red, or fair). 

When the territory was chosen as Federal Capital Territory, the committee set up to decide on the name, eventually settled for Abuja, and told the Emir to rename the Emirate to avoid conflict in name.  

'Suleja' was a combination of the first four letters of the last Emir of Abuja, Suleiman Barau, and the last two syllable of the first Emir and founder of the Emirate, Abu Ja. That was how 'Suleja' was coined - Sule and Ja.

Suleja attracted high population of the new residents because of the infrastructure and other developmental projects in the town. 

Among the pioneer OSDA members were Mr. Dennis Akpata and Igwe Kierian Ugwuozor, both of blessed memory. Mr. Akpata was the first OSDA (protem) President while Igwe Ugwuozor, upon his retirement and relocation from Abuja, later became the Traditional Ruler of Akama Oghe Community. He, unfortunately, died last year. 

It was not surprising that majority of the pioneer members were businessmen and artisans (masons, carpenters, electricians, etc), who joined in the "gold rush" for the development of the new capital. Abuja, a virgin land, was 'invaded' by contractors in the quest to make it habitable. 

Engr. Nick Nzewigbo who later became OSDA Patron, joined the Association after completion of the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 1985. He remembered with nostalgia, the annual End-of-Year Party at Suleja, which he said, usually spilled over into late hours of the night. Suleja is about an hour and half drive from Abuja city centre. 

The relocation of federal ministries and parastatals from Lagos to Abuja in 1992, boosted the OSDA membership. Civil servants, hotel attendants and other public servants became members. Majority of them secured  accommodation in Government Quarters and other places within Garki and Wuse districts. 

That was how the agitation for relocation of meeting venue from Suleja to Garki started. Needless to say that it caused divisions within the rank of the Association. But the most interesting thing is that the differences were quickly resolved, and OSDA there after became stronger and more responsive to its mission. 

In 2007, OSDA marked its 20th Anniversary at the prestigious International Conference Centre (ICC). The success of the event prompted the desire to imbibe the 'Think Home' philosophy of former Governor Chukwuemaka Ezeife of Anambra State. 

A plot of land acquired at Kuje, in the FCT was for a Town Hall, but after an interaction with the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West in the National Assembly, the plan was altered.  Senator Ekweremadu reminded the delegation sent to intimate him of the planned Town Hall of the unfortunate post-civil war 'abandoned property' saga. 

The idea of a Cottage Hospital project in Oghe was initiated by Laz Eke Administration after the 20th Anniversary celebration. This was brought to fruition by his successor, Engr. Greg Nwafor who mobilised resources after securing a parcel of land at Obuna, along Afor-Oghe - Amankwo Road. 

The ground breaking ceremony was done on December 28, 2010. And before the intervention of Senator Ekweremadu who took over the project through the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), as part of his Constituency Project, the building had reached roofing level. 

Apart from the initial funds realized during the ground breaking ceremony, most of the funds for the project came through individual donations and contributions of OSDA members. And they were willing to continue to make further sacrifice to complete the project but for the decision of Ken Ezekwu Administration to invite Senator Ekweremadu for his intervention. 

The imposing structure along Afor-Oghe - Amankwo Road, which is equipped with the start-of-the-art medical facilities, was handed over to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu sometime in 2016, to manage through the Congregation of Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM). It is a dream come true as our people now access quality medical treatment at the Cottage Hospital at affordable rate. 

OSDA also intervened in the Amankwo Rural Electrification Projection, and invited former member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogubefi Ozomgbachi to complete as part of his Constituency project. 

An interesting aspect of this is the communal spirit of OSDA members, not only towards the Cottage Hospital project but during naming, wedding and burial ceremonies involving Oghe indigenes in Abuja. 

The Association, through its Empowerment Committee, provided financial assistance for Oghe business men and women to grow their business. More than N300, 000 was given as interest free loan to OSDA members, both men and women, to support their business. 

Aside this, HAVILLA, a business name of one of our members, was registered with the Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the expenses borne by an OSDA member free of charge. The company produces peanuts. 

It has become an annual ritual, during End-of-Year Thanksgiving/Party, to remember wives of our members who have passed on. Food stuff and other gift items are provided to them to cushion their pains. 

Some other years, the Association visits Motherless Babies' Homes and Orphanages to empathize with them. We salute our Women Wing who have sustained this visits over the years, including visit to prisons. 

OSDA is a legal entity. It is registered with the CAC as a Social Association in 2009.

The planned launch of the Education Endowment Fund is in continuation of the OSDA philosophy to impact on the lives of our people at home. The proceed will be used to offer scholarship to 36 indigent Senior Secondary School (SSS) Students (six each from six Oghe communities) from SSS1 to SSS3, including the payment of their WAEC and NECO fees. The selection is to be done in collaboration with the Town Unions and the school principals

About OSDA

The acronym OSDA is: Oghe Social Development Association.

Vision Statement

As an organization we, hope to offer opportunities where every individual regardless of background has access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and a voice in governance, enabling inclusive and sustainable development for all

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote sustainable social development by implementing community-led programs that address poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges." Our mission is to inspire and support the next generation by improving access to education, mentorship, and life skills that empower youth to shape a better future for their communities.

OSDA MOTTO

Empowering Lives, Building Communities or Lifting the Forgotten, Empowering the Future.

OSDA OBJECTIVES

1. To provide scholarships and educational support to marginalized and underprivileged individuals.
2. To promote accessible healthcare by establishing community health centers in underserved areas.
3. To support small-scale entrepreneurs with access to microloans and business development opportunities.
4. To offer vocational and life skills training for youth, women, and children for self-reliance. Edit

HISTORY OF OGHE

Oghe the second son of Ezeagu settled at the OLIE-OGHE and married MGBO OLIE, also from Okpogho, Mgbo-Olie lived with oghe for several years without a male child however ,she later had three sons namely

OWA [OWELUM-NWA-WOKE] meaning my hand have gotten a child AKAMA (AKA-AMATAM-UMU-WOKE) meaning ( my hands have gotten male child). NEKE ( NE-EKEDU-UMU-WOKE) meaning ( see male child),

Before Oghe took his second wife, Udenkwo from Ibite-Olo. Udenkwo ( Nwanya-Olo), seeing that Mgbo-Olie ( her nwuyedi) has three sons, signifying Olie, Afo and Eke respectively grew with envy. The jealousy she had towards Mgbo-Olie cancealed until the opportunity presented itself in a feast, when she administered a barrenness charm which she procured from a herbalist in Ibite-Olo in the food of Mgbo-Olie. Mgbo-Olie could no longer conceive. During this period, Udenkwo (Nwanyi-Olo) conceived and begot a son which she named AMANKWO (Amalum-nkwo) meaning ( I know Nkwo market day). She conceived again and begot Amansiodo.

Mgbo-Olie consulted a powerful herbalist Ojenammuo in Okpogho. The dibia, not only revealed the cause of barrenness but neutralize the charm and freed her womb.she unexpectedly took in and gave to a son she called OYOFO [EYOLUM NA OFOTO] meaning [I peeped to know if it remains] this confirms the efficiency of the herbalist ojenammuo. Mgbo olie later conceived again and begot another son. The story has it that Udenkwo confessed openly before the garish features of Ugwu Ezema Owa shrine. She was however, pardoned after appeasing the gods and after an oath at the Ugwu Ezema (Igbandu) that she and her children will never do or ask another person to do anything capable of inflicting harm or death to Mgbo-Olie and her children. Mgbo-Olie named her son Iwollo (Iwe-Nwanya-Olo ) meaning (the envy of Olo woman). Altogether, Mgbo-Olie had five sons in order: Owe, Akama, Neke, Oyofo and Iwollo. They are collectively grouped as ‘’Ikenge’’. In the same vain. Udenkwo (Nwanya-Olo) had five sons in order: Amankwo, Amansiodo, Akassa, Umunum and Oba-agu. 

They are collectively grouped as ‘’Ibute-Oha’’ Oral history has it that, at a period, the society was barbaric, fuelled by slave trading. Thus it was characterized by fight or flight syndrome. Powerful villages invade and subdued weaker ones and sold them for wealth. Many races vanished. Oghe reduced from ten to seven villages Akassa, Umunum, Oba-agu and even Umuhu which was another clan melted into Amankwo and Amansiodo. Owe, the first son of Oghe could not stand the hostility, the pressure, hence the few survivors ran into different parts of Iwollo. The descendants of Owe are still identified in a remote part of Iwollo where they ran for protection. Neke would have vanished, if it were not for the introduction of Odo cult. The Odo cult still survives in Neke and Okpogho, thus providing security and protection for them, hence they were able to withstand the hostility, defended and protected their wives , children and property, and especially maintain the geographical boundaries of today. Amankwo, Amansiodo and Iwollo have not past settlements away from their birthplaces (Imezi). They maintain a closely knit family relationship similar to that which exists in (Owa-na-ato).

AKAMA
Akama, the second son of Oghe has three sons in order: Isiokwe, Imama and Enugwu n’ Agbani. Akama Ogwu-gwu-ebenebe expanded the territory boundaries to Neke, Amansiodo, Owa and Nsude at the Ajalli Rivers, Egede, Affa and Uzo-Uwani.

AMANKWO
Amankwo the forth son of Oghe and second in share ranking has three sons in order: Umu-enechi and Enugu-agu. Umu-enechi and Enugu-agu have family representatives who migrated to settle at Amankwo Ndiagu. Only Okinito has boundary with Neke, Iwollo, as Okpogho, Ihuonyia, Amansiodo, Rivers Ivvo, Jaliko and Duu.

NEKE
Neke settled at the center of Oghe clan, hence it is often referred as ‘’Ime-du-enyi-na-afu’’ meaning ‘’the pregnancy of an elephant’’ and also as ‘’Oshimiri-di-na-ime-Oghe’’ meaning ‘’the ocean at the centre of Oghe’’. Neke has boundaries with most villages in Oghe. Namely Akama, Oyofo, Iwollo, Amankwo and Amansiodo and also with Owa at the Ajali river. 

History has it that the four sons of Neke in order: ONECHI Okpa-aku, ENUGWU Agriji-Oba-oso-ogwute, IMAMA Oduneje-agu and AJANIGWUGWU migrated in great numbers to settle at distant lands like Neke-Uno and Neke-Agu in isi-Uzo; hence the remnants in Oghe were scantly populated. Also an unverified story links Neke Oghe with the Umu-Neke in Udi.

AMANSIODO 
Amansiodo, the fifth son of Oghe had three sons in order: Ihuonyia, Abaenyi and Umudim. Ihuonyia, in search of arable and expanse of land for farming and hunting, migrated northwards to the present abode. Ihuonyia moved with a representatives of Umuodigbo kindred of Umudim, thus only Umudigbo (Ijine) has and maintained a family relationship in Amansiodo and Ihuonyia. Abaenyi and the rest of Umudim stayed back at Amansiodo Imezi. Amansiodo extended its territory to have boundary with Amankwo, Neke, Akama, Ogui-Agu-Eke, Okpogho Imezi, Affa and Egede, Olo, Ukwume and rivers Ivvo, Duu and Ada-ada.

OYOFO
Oyofo, the sixth son of Oghe has nine sons in order: UMUIGILIGI, UMUEJI, UMUANOBU , UMUANI, UMUATU, AMAETITI, UMUOLUE, OGBONDIM and UMUGHILIBE. Oyofo had contact with the IGALA, who settled and taught interested persons of Oyofo and Oghe dibia of all classes. Oghe and Ezeagu had practiced dibia of all classes, but contact with the Igala added versatility and expertise to Oyofo dibia. One Nebechi Okachi, a young man became the most common Igbo face in Igala assemblies, winning the confidence and trust ofxperts. It was said that Nebechi was a practicing occultist of some repute, and enterprising enough to have travelled to the north to master the Hausa language, apparently the only native in the vicinity to do so. 

Others hold that Nebechi Okachi learned Hausa, Igala and Pigin English from his Igala friends. On one occasion the young man was in company of Igala chief when the white man called. The Igala chief was the intermediary between the white man and the native. The young Igala claimed to be down to earth with native tongue but could not interpret eight statements made by young Nebechi which include ‘’Akidi-Kidibum-Kidibum’’, ‘’Mmakwuuo-awulu’’ and etc. Nebechi had won. He was the first man in the locality of Udi to be appointed warrant chief. To consolidate his authority, Nebechi instigated the massacre of successful native doctors (dibia) across all family blocks in Oyofo, Neke and Iwollo. While herbalists in most Ezeagu villages are part time, Oyofo produce full time herbalist who travel out to distant land hawking there medicinal powers. They are experts in the areas of (Mgbalugwu n, mkpa akukwo) herbs, roots and leaves.

Oyofo also suffered migration since some herbalist especially the unmarried never retuned but married and settle elsewhere. Story has it that Oyofo (Oyoho) wherever they are, were emigrants from Oyofo Oghe. Oyofo has boundary with Neke, Iwollo, Awha, and Owa at the Ajalli River.

IWOLLO
Iwollo, the last son of Oghe originally settle at Imama where he had six sons in order: Ezeonyia, Ndibunagu, Amagu, Obunagu, Owoloti and Enugu. With exception of Enugu which has only two settlements at Enugu Akwu-Osa and Enugu Ogba-Agana; the five villages have multiple settlements, such as Ugwu-ike, Obodo-ngwu, Ogbugbu-agu, Agu-eke, Anu-ike Mbanamba, Akpugo and most outstanding, Aguobu Iwollo.

  History also has it that many family kindred migrated in Iwollo, especially from IBIBIO (known as IBI-NATO or UMU-IBI) and also from IGALA. These emigrants introduced the AKPOKO and KWUBELU masquerade cults and many other forms of HERNALIST, some of which were useful in wars, and in hunting for slaves.

Sights and Sound of OGHE

Oghe communities are mainly agrarians they are also endowed with various natural resources. Oghe community support Enugu state and federal government economy through agricultural products and solid minerals, the community engages in the below agricultural activities. Coal and other solid minerals are in abundant in Oghe town.

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