By Adaobi Nsofor (Head, Media & Publicity Sub-Committee, OCDU Abuja Branch)
On Sunday, November 29, 2026, the Oguta Community Development Union (OCDU), Abuja Branch, will roll out the drums for it's End of Year 2026 Cultural Day Celebration.
This year's event is not just a party, but a statement, as the OCDU will celebrate and honour it's illustrious citizen achievers in community development, professions like banking, medicine, law and public leadership, among other fields of human endeavour.
At the ceremony which holds from 10:00 am at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Off Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, seven distinguished Oguta Ameshi men and women of service will receive awards of recognition and honour from the historic association.
The awardees are individuals who have shown responsibility and who have also proved that community is beyond ancestry.
The roll call of the Honourees include:
1. Ogbuagu Ifeanyi Patrick Ogbonna, KSC
OGBUAGU IFEANYI PATRICK OGBONNA, KSC is an entrepreneur, business executive, Real Estate Broker-in- charge and investor, healthcare administrator and community leader with over 25 years of professional experience, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Okeoshishi Foundation, Founder of Oguta Rich Cultural Heritage, President of Excellent Men's Club International, USA Chapter. A knight of Saint Christopher and Youth Director of Emmanuel Anglican Church, Raleigh for over 23 years. He has dedicated his life to faith, youth empowerment, and the promotion of Oguta culture and community development.
Ogbuagu Ifeanyi Patrick Ogbonna popularly known by his kinsmen and women as 'Okoshishi - which literally meaning is the big tree' resides in Raleigh with his wife, Ogbuefi Mrs Obiaku Ogbonna, and their five children.
OGBUAGU IFEANYI PATRICK OGBONNA KSC
2. Efuru Nwapa, Esq.
EFURU NWAPA, Esg. is a dual-qualified United Kingdom Solicitors with 35 years combined post-qualification experience, currently a Senior Consultant Solicitor in London. She is Chair of the British African Business Network and Founder of the Efuru Nwapa Empowerment Foundation.
As President of Oguta UK & Ireland Association (2020-2024), she introduced far-reaching reforms, increased funds by over 300%, and led major community development in Oguta including 780 solar street lights, repair of 14 transformers, security infrastructure, and N5m towards relief, security and electricity.
She is a former Company Secretary of the Council of Igbo Communities UK and Non-Executive Director/Trustees of the Inclusive Multi- academy Trust UK.
Efuru is a proud daughter of Oguta Ameshi born into the family of late Ajie Ogbuagu Sir Christopher Cfine Ijomah Nwapa of the Nwapa Dynasty of Abatu, and late Lady Evelyn Obiageli Mbadiwe Dynasty of Arondizuogu.
EFURU NWAPA Esg
3. Dr. Felix A. Okwuosa, PhD.
DR. FELIX A. OKWUOSA, Ph.D is a progressive leader, community advocate and institutional builder whose work is guided by service, unity and the advancement of people and communities.
He has held leadership roles in several Fortune 100 Companies including The Coca-Cola Company pepsiCo, SC Johnson and Takeda Pharmaceutical. He is deeply committed to Community Development, diaspora engagement, institutional strengthening and youth empowerment.
Inspired by the Legacy of his grandfather, Chief V.G. Okwuosa (Ogana Edoziobi 11 of Oguta), he continues to advance the vision of One Oguta, One People, One God, One Love.
DR. FELIX A. OKWUOSA Ph.D
4. Ogbuefi Dr. (Mrs) Adobi Stella Nwapa
OGBUEFI DR. (Mrs.) ADOBI STELLA NWAPA Executive Director, Zenith Bank PLC.
Some daughters rise. Fewer rise and then reach back to lift the community that nurtured them. Today, Oguta celebrates one such daughter.
Eldest child of the late Ajie Ogbuagu Sir Christoph fine Ijomah Nwapa, 19th Okpara of Abatu Village, and the late Lady Evelyn Obiageli Mbadiwe Nwapa.
Heir to two distinguished houses - Nwapa Dynasty of Abatu (Flora Nwapa, first African woman to publish an English-language novel; Hon. A.C Nwapa, Nigeria's first Minister of Commerce) and Mbadiwe Dynasty of Arondizuogu - known for scholarship, enterprise and public service.
One of the pioneer staff of Zenith Bank from 1990. She holds a BA in History from Imo State University, MPA from Strayer University, Houston, MBA from Jack Welch Management Institute, and an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from Abia State University.
She chairs Zenith Pension Custodian Ltd. and has used her influence to bring digital banking to Oguta, fund scholarship for 200 pupils since 2017, support security, personally fund the renovation of Oguta mortuary and construction of a new wing.
OGBUEFI DR. Mrs. ADOBI STELLA NWAPA
5. Dr. George Jnr. Uzonwanne
DR. GEORGE JNR. UZONWANNE - is an accomplished medical doctor, senior public health policy expert and distinguished administrator who has dedicated decades to transforming healthcare delivery, education and social services in Nigeria. He served as Director, Education, Health and Social Services at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), where he championed grassroots healthcare intervention, MBA from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, a Postgraduate Degree in Ophthalmology and a BSc in optometry.
He remains a passionate advocate for leveraging public-private partnership, health technology and well-being of the Nigerian people.
DR. GEORGE JNR. UZONWANNE
6. Otu Oshishioma Age Grade, Lagos Branch
OTU OSHISHIOMA AGE GRADE, LAGOS BRANCH (Est. 1992) - A Socio-cultural association of sons, daughters and friends of Oguta committed to unity, peace and progress. With members across Lagos, Europe and America. It has delivered scholarship to not less than 36 student, exercise books to all primary schools in Oguy, medical support, tree-planting, street signs, economic empowerment and welfare support. Otu- Osisioma Age Grade has proven that community is beyond ancestry, it is responsibility.
Otu Oshishioma Age Grade, Lagos Branch
7. Hon Ifeanyi Nnani
Hon. IFEANYI NNANI - Executive Chairman, Oguta Local Government Area.
Hon. Ifeanyi Nnani is a grassroots leader who served Oguta in his first term in office with visibility, accessibility and a deep commitment to community development.
As Executive Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area, Imo State, he made grassroots development his priority. On 14th May, 2026, in line with the directive of the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, he inaugurated the community Development and Mobilization Committee to ensure speedy development of the grassroots.
On that same day, he performed the ground - breaking. ceremony for the perimeter fencing of Oguta Council Headquarters - a historic projects, as Oguta was the only Local Government Area out of the 27 in Imo State without a fenced and secured headquarters. Upon assumption of office, he had swiftly commenced the moulding of over 50,000 blocks and the clearing of the Headquarters surroundings, laying the foundation for a more secure and befitting council.
Hon. Nnani also championed security and community college resilience. He convened and supported security stakeholders' meetings in Oguta - bringing together the Police, Navy, other security agencies, traditional rulers, President - Generals Councilors youth leaders and representative of various communities - and pledged increased local government support, including logistics and strategic coordination, to safeguard Oguta communities and restore normalcy.
He was a Chairman who stood with his people in both celebration and sorrow - honouring Oguta's illustrious sons, visiting victims and families in times of tragedy, and speaking for the people of Oguta at every opportunity.
For his service, leadership and love for Oguta, the Oguta Community Development Union, Abuja Branch, honour him today.
Specifically, some of the honourees have built banks, healed the sick, educated children, secured communities, empowered the coming generations and strengthened community and town institutions of Oguta Ameshi, popularly referred to as 'Obodo Girigiri'.
Leader of OCDU in Abuja and the association's chairman, Mr. Ikemefuna Ohanyere, explains the reason and consideration for the recognition of the distinguished awardees: "We did not call them to Abuja to praise them for being successful in their respective fields we called them because they remembered home through their respective Social Community Service.
"In Oguta, just like in every other decent society, success is not measured by what you own, but by what you return", Ohanyere declared.
However, beyond the Awards, there will be commendation for the pioneer leaders and foundational fathers of OCDU Abuja branch.
The evening will also carry a special emotional moment in form of appreciative commendation awards to deserving pioneers and supportive pillar members of the Abuja OCDU.
These are the men and women who, years ago when Abuja was still new and Oguta people were scattered, held the meetings in living rooms, paid from their pockets, kept the register, settled disputes, provided employment and support to our children, buried the dead with dignity, and kept the culture alive for the next generation.
Without the pioneers and these supportive pillars, there would be no OCDU Abuja to honour anyone today,' said chairman, Ohanyere, adding that, "This is our way of saying that we saw you. We remember. Thank you, for your vision, efforts and consistency".
However, those to be commended in this year's End of the Year Celebration are:
- Chief Innocent Agbasoga - former Chairman, OCDU, Abuja.
- Chief Innocent Anene, former Chairman
- Chief Sunday Uzokwe, former Secretary
- Mr. Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, former Secretary
- Chief Anthony Atoukwu Uzonwanne
- Mr. Peter Udom
- Behind the scenes Pillars of OCDU and silent philanthropist.
At a time when many Nigerians in diaspora (Lagos, Abuja, London, Houston, Toronto) are disconnected from their roots, Oguta Ameshi is offering a different model in the area of celebrating those who return value, and inspire the next generation to do the same.
This year 2026 event will feature cultural dances, traditional displays, music, and the rich heritage of Oguta Ameshi, the land of Oguta Lake, of Orashi River and of black gold of Imo State. NNL.
