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 was Treasurer, until his retirement and relocation from Abuja, and became the Traditional Ruler of Akama Oghe Community.
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 also served as OSDA President, and later Patron, joined the Association after the completion of the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in 1985. Engr. Nzwigbo 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 thereafter became stronger and more responsive to its mission.
In 2007, OSDA marked its 20th Anniversary of existence 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 former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who represented 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 realised 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 the Project 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 N1 Million 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. Cloths, food stuff and other gift items are provided to them to cushion their pains.
The Association also visits Motherless Babies’ Homes and Orphanages to empathise 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 Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a Social Association in 2009.
In 2018, the OSDA launched her Education Endowment Fund, in continuation of her philosophy to impact on the lives of our people at home. The proceed, were used to offer scholarship to indigent Senior Secondary School (SSS) Students, from the Seven Oghe communities Namely Owe, Akama, Amankwo, Amansiodo, Neke, Oyofo and Iwollo, from SSS1 to SSS3. The payments include WAEC and NECO fees. The selection is done in collaboration with the Town Unions and the school principals. This Scheme has been running since then.
