Demolition of Owo Memorial Park: ‘Olowo owner of land’ – Aiyedatiwa replies Catholic bishop

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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has criticized the Bishop of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, over his comments regarding the removal of the cenotaph built in memory of the victims of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church attack in Owo. The memorial was originally constructed by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor argued that the bishop should have engaged appropriate authorities before making public remarks on the issue.

The bishop had earlier condemned the demolition, attributing it to actions taken by both the state government and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye.

Governor Aiyedatiwa clarified that the cenotaph, located at what had become a Memorial Park, was removed as part of efforts to protect and uphold the town’s cultural heritage. He said the structure was seen as a representation of death, which contradicts traditional values in Owo.

He also pointed out that the land where the monument stood belongs to the traditional ruler of the town and that his administration had revoked the site after discovering irregularities in how it was originally allocated for the project.

“The demolition of the Memorial Park in Owo was a necessary step taken to restore the dignity of Owo’s culture and the original purpose of the site.

“At the time of constructing the cenotaph, there was no record of official revocation of the land from AgroMore. The state government later realised the procedural errors made in taking possession of the land for the construction of the cenotaph,” he said.

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