By Owo Cenotaph Dispute
Church and government agree on new memorial site
Summary
- Ondo government and Catholic Church reach agreement to relocate demolished cenotaph
- New site to honour 2022 massacre victims will reflect both cultural and religious sensitivities
- Governor Aiyedatiwa and Bishop Arogundade affirm commitment to peace and reconciliation
Owo, Nigeria — The controversy surrounding the demolition of the Owo Memorial Park has moved toward resolution following a meeting between the Ondo State government, the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, and key community stakeholders.
On 27 June 2025, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa met behind closed doors with Catholic Bishop Jude Arogundade and other religious and traditional leaders in Akure. The meeting culminated in a joint decision to relocate the cenotaph, originally built to honour over 40 victims of the June 2022 terrorist attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, to a more culturally appropriate site.
The demolished cenotaph had been a subject of heated debate, with the Olowo of Owo and traditional council raising objections to its location directly opposite the palace, citing Yoruba customs that regard death-related symbols near royal grounds as taboo. The land on which it stood was also the subject of an unresolved ownership dispute, having been returned to the Olowo’s private company, AgroMore Limited, in 2021.
While the Ondo State government defended the demolition as an effort to uphold cultural values and correct procedural oversights, the act sparked public outcry.
The Catholic Diocese condemned the move as disrespectful, and the widow of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, under whose administration the cenotaph was built, accused the state of attempting to erase her husband’s legacy.
In an effort to heal the divisions, both government and Church leaders have now pledged cooperation. Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the public that a new memorial would be constructed in a location acceptable to all sides. He also stressed the need for unity, cautioning against inflammatory rhetoric and affirming that the government’s aim was never to dishonour the victims.
Bishop Arogundade, speaking on behalf of the Church, welcomed the outcome of the meeting and described the dispute as unfortunate but resolvable. He reaffirmed the Diocese’s commitment to working with the state to honour the victims appropriately while also respecting the cultural heritage of Owo.
A team has been commissioned to identify a suitable new site for the memorial. While the physical monument has been brought down, the symbolic importance of preserving the memory of the massacre’s victims appears to be guiding a renewed spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
