By Falolu Adedoyin
The Ondo State government has demolished the ‘Memorial Park’ erected in honour of the victims of the June 5, 2022, massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo Local Government Area.
A viral video that surfaced Saturday evening showed a bulldozer pulling down the cenotaph, which was inscribed with the names of over 40 Christian worshippers killed during the terror attack.
Dozens of others were injured in the early morning mass shooting that shocked both Nigeria and the international community.
In response to widespread condemnation following the attack, the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, commissioned the construction of the memorial in 2023 to honour the victims and serve as a symbol of remembrance.
However, the park’s location, directly opposite the Olowo of Owo’s palace, sparked controversy among local indigenes and traditional stakeholders, who described it as a cultural taboo and urged the state government to relocate it.
Confirming the demolition on Sunday, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s spokesperson, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the action followed formal complaints from the palace regarding the cenotaph’s placement.
“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo as it is said to be against the culture and tradition to site such near the palace,” Adeniyan said, adding that the government build another one in a different location soon.
However, many residents welcomed the demolition of the memorial park, saying it was better sited in a different location than the front of the palace.
In a response to the demolition, Chief Press Officer condemned the action of the present Government regarding the demolition.
“When the late Governor Akeredolu built the park, he was not playing politics. He acted solely on what he believed was necessary and appropriate. It is sad that some government appointees are now injecting political undertones into this matter. This is very unfortunate,he said.
Speaking further, he said that the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN convened a meeting with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III his chiefs, and political appointees from Owo, where he outlined his vision for the park before building it.
He added that former Governor explicitly stated that no corpses would be buried there and sought the Olowo’s approval. He also offered an alternative if the Olowo was not comfortable with the proposed location, the park could be relocated to Ijebu-Owo or other areas in the town and the Olowo and his chiefs agreed to the chosen site.
Irrespective of the demolition, we will continue to remember the victims of the Owo massacre, Olabode said.
