Ondo State Government Responds to Catholic Diocese on Memorial Park Demolition

The Ondo State government has defended its decision to demolish the Memorial Park constructed in honour of the victims of the Owo massacre, stating that it was necessary to restore the cultural dignity of the Owo kingdom. The government explained that the land used for the Memorial Park originally belonged to AgroMore Limited, a company owned by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, before he became the king. The government acquired the land in 2010 for public use but later re-allocated it to its original owner in 2021. However, the construction of the cenotaph was done without official revocation of the land, leading to the protests from the palace and the people of Owo.

The government acknowledged the emotional attachment to the memorial but insisted that the decision to demolish it was made with careful consideration. A committee has been inaugurated to relocate and construct a new Memorial Park in honour of the victims. The government has assured that a balance will be found between preserving the memories of the dead and upholding the sanctity of the culture of the community.

Key Takeaways:

• The Memorial Park was demolished in response to protests from the palace and the people of Owo, who deemed it a taboo to site a cenotaph at the heart of the town and in front of the palace.
• The land used for the Memorial Park originally belonged to AgroMore Limited, a company owned by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye.
• The government acquired the land in 2010 for public use but later re-allocated it to its original owner in 2021.
• The construction of the cenotaph was done without official revocation of the land, leading to the protests.
• Despite the emotional attachment to the memorial, the government assured that a balance will be found between preserving the memories of the dead and upholding the sanctity of the culture of the community.
• A committee has been inaugurated to relocate and construct a new Memorial Park in honour of the victims.

Statistics:

• 2010: The year the Ondo State government acquired the land for public use.
• 2021: The year the government re-allocated the land to its original owner, AgroMore Limited.
• June 5, 2022: The date the new Memorial Park was constructed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo.

Sources:

• "Ondo State government replies Ondo Catholic Diocese over Memorial Park demolition". [No date specified].
• Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. Statement on the demolition of the Memorial Park in Owo. [No date specified].