We asked Ondo govt to demolish Owo Memorial Park – Olowo

By John Ogunsemore

The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, said the demolition of the Owo Memorial Park by the Ondo State Government was at the instance of the palace.

The palace stated this in a statement published on its official Facebook page on Monday.

Late former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu built the memoriial park to honour and immortalise the worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, killed in a terrorist attack on the church in 2022.

The cenotaph, which was located in the heart of the ancient town, bore the names of the victims of the attack.

In its statement, the palace said ex-Governor Akeredolu was strongly advised against erecting the monument close to the palace due to age-old traditions but he failed to heed the advice.

The statement reads, “In view of the public reactions generated by the demolition of the Memorial Park supposedly built in honour of the June 5th, 2022 murderous attack victims at St Francis Catholic church in Owo, the Palace wish to say unequivocally that the request for this action was at the instance of His Imperial Majesty, Olowo of Owo and the entire good people of the kingdom.

“It must be made clear that the decision to site the structure in that particular location was resisted by the Olowo-in-Council and frowned upon by the people of the community when it was being conceived by the Government of the late Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON.

“All advice to the late Governor that celebrating the dead in any guise around the palace is not in conformity with the age-long culture and traditions of Owo was defiantly dismissed.

“Even at a time a protest was made by concerned Owo youths and stakeholders to that effect which the then Governor disregarded.

“The above position of the palace is vindicated by the enthusiasm shown by Owo people and the deluge of commendation across sundry media platforms in support of the demolition.

“The Olowo-in-Council will soon come out to avail the public with the comprehensive details of all that happened before and during the construction of the structure which led to the current development.

“And before then, we advise anyone with any issues whatsoever against the demolition to make the palace their target and not the listening Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who is not in anyway responsible for the demolition.”