A prominent socio-cultural organisation, the Ọṣun Development Association (ODA), on Thursday will lay the foundation of its proposed headquarters in Osogbo as part of activities marking its 30th anniversary, underscoring the growing role of non-governmental groups in Nigeria’s subnational development efforts.
The association, made up of eminent citizens of Osun State extraction, said the headquarters, named the Osun Development Association House is expected to serve as a hub for coordination, policy engagement and community-focused interventions beyond the state.
In a statement released by the Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Celebrations Committee, Dr Dele Alimi, the foundation-laying ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at Okepupa GRA, behind the NTA station in Osogbo.
He added that the event will also feature the formal presentation of ODA’s corporate social responsibility initiative focused on training teachers in Osun State, an intervention aligned with national conversations on education quality and human capital development.
According to the statement, Adeleke is expected to attend the ceremony as Special Guest of Honour, while the Commissioner for Education, Mr Dipo Eluwọle, will serve as Special Guest, highlighting the interface between civic organisations and government in addressing development gaps.
Traditional institutions will also be represented, with the Ọrangun of Okeila Orangun, Ọba Adedokun Abọlarin, Aroyinkẹye I, named Father of the Day. The Chairman of the association, Dr Ṣẹgun Aina, OFR, will host the event.
Founded three decades ago as a non-political and non-religious platform, ODA has positioned itself as a vehicle for mobilising professional expertise and resources toward social development, a model increasingly gaining attention nationally as states grapple with education, infrastructure and governance challenges.
