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

The governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has stated that the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Dr Jude Arogundade, erred in his position on the demolition of the cenotaph built by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in honour of the worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

According to Aiyedatiwa, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Bishop ought to have explored the proper channels before taking a stance on the demolition.

The bishop, in a statement issued on Wednesday, had decried the demolition of the cenotaph, which he claimed was carried out by the state government and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye.

While stressing that the demolition of the Memorial Park was done to restore the dignity of Owo culture, Aiyedatiwa emphasised that the monument symbolises death, which does not conform with the traditions of the town.

The governor further stated that the monarch is the rightful owner of the land on which the monument was constructed.

He maintained that his administration revoked the land after discovering procedural errors made during its acquisition for the construction of the cenotaph.

“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.