The Memorial Park, built in honour of the slain victims of 5th June, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, will soon be commissioned.
Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, Chairman of the Owo Attack Donation Management Committee, informed reporters during a Saturday inspection that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, will officially inaugurate the Memorial Park once it is fully completed.
Akinterinwa, accompanied by other committee members, guided the Catholic Church bishops on a tour of the park, assuring them that the Governor and the state government have shown tremendous empathy and dedication to immortalising the attack’s victims.
In addition to the progress made so far, Akinterinwa announced that the names of the survivors will be engraved on a wall marble, which will be completed soon.
He also mentioned that the remaining internal work will be finished shortly, after which the Memorial Park will be ready for commissioning.
Earlier in the day, the committee members, along with key government officials including Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, attended a Mass held in memory of the attack victims at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
They later joined Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, the Bishops of the Ondo Catholic Church and the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev Dr Gabriel Abegunrin, to inaugurate the Memorial Park constructed by the Catholic Diocese of Ondo at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
At the inspection tour, Akinterinwa said:”Today, we are here to conduct an inspection tour of the Government Memorial Park with the Bishops and some members of the clergy.
“Although this place has not yet been completed, the Papal Nuncio, the Pope’s representative in Nigeria, has expressed his intention to visit this place and witness our efforts.
“Hence, our presence here today. The Bishops from Ibadan, Ondo, and others have come to see what we are doing and have expressed their appreciation.”
“They have also asked us to convey their gratitude to Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, for his compassionate response to the affected people from the very beginning of this incident,” he added.
Others in attendance were, Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, Members of the State Executive Council, Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Antonio Guido Filipazzi, who was represented by Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Bishop Jude Ayodele Arogundade, Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese, Bishop Francis Adesina, Bishop Emeritus Ondo Diocese, Bishop Francis Folorunso Alonge, Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, represented by High Chief Lanre Famakinwa, Oniyere of Iyere, Oba Omotunde Alaba Adako and others.
