The Memorial Park, which was constructed in memory of those killed in the massacre that took place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo on June 5, 2022, is about to be opened.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will formally dedicate the Memorial Park once it is finished, according to Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, Chairman of the Owo Attack Donation Management Committee, who told media during a Saturday inspection. Akinterinwa led the Catholic Church bishops on a tour of the park while they were joined by other committee members, telling them that the Governor and the state government have demonstrated outstanding compassion and dedication to honouring the attack’s victims.
The names of the survivors will be inscribed on a wall marble, which will be finished soon, in addition to the progress that has already been achieved, according to Akinterinwa. The Memorial Park will be prepared for commissioning after the last of the internal construction is completed, he added. The committee members and important government representatives, including the deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the secretary to the state government Princess Oladunni Odu, attended a Mass in honour of the assault victims earlier in the day 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.
