Memorial Park Relocation: Aiyedatiwa Meets Catholic Diocese Of Ondo
•By Admin
AKURE – Controversies trailing the demolition of the Memorial Park in Owo build in honour of victims of Owo massacre might have been laid to rest Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa met Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, on Friday.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that the Catholic Diocese has accepted and pledged support for the relocation of the cenotaph to another site in Owo.
The statement revealed that Governor Aiyedatiwa had a stakeholders meeting in Akure, the state capital, on Friday and the issues surrounding the demolition of the Memorial Park were discussed and resolved.
According to the statement, the meeting was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, and “was attended by the leaders of the church, led by the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade, Bishop of Owo Diocese, Bishop Steven Fagbemi, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ondo State, who was represented by his deputy, Bishop Ayodeji Komolafe.
“Others at the meeting include Chairman of the Action Committee of Christians Association of Nigeria(CAN), Apostle ZB Adeboriota, the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Dr. Ayo Oladapo, the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Very Rev Father Dominic Adeosun, representative of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Archbishop Simeon Borokini and the representatives of the Olowo-in-Council.”
While addressing the stakeholders, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized on the need for religion and culture to coexist peacefully, adding that the need to find a balance between the two necessitated the demolition of the Memorial Park to make way for a new one that will not cause any communal crisis.
He said he had commissioned a team of government officials to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to make arrangements to build a new cenotaph at a location acceptable to the church and the people of Owo.
The statement reads: “Governor Aiyedatiwa warned all parties involved and critics of the demolition to refrain from the language and narratives that could incite the people and lead to break down of law and order in the community.
“Bishop Arogundade and other leaders who spoke at the meeting said the crisis that followed the demolition was unnecessary, adding that the church has accepted the decision to relocate the Memorial Park and will give support to the committee that will find a suitable location for a new cenotaph.
“Stressing that Owo community has been very accommodating to the Catholic Church for decades as the first church to settle in the community, the church leaders promised to continue to accord the culture of Owo, the stool of the Olowo and the Olowo-in-Council the respect they deserve.”
Other dignitaries present at the meeting are the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti and Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa.
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