Ondo Government, Catholic Church, and Owo Community Reach Consensus on Memorial Park Relocation

 The Ondo State government, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and Owo community finalized an agreement on June 27 to relocate a memorial park honoring the 41 victims of the June 5, 2022, terror attack at St. Francis Church. 

The decision, announced by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, addresses community concerns over the original park’s proximity to the church and land use conflicts, following protests that stalled earlier plans in 2024.

The 2022 attack, attributed to suspected herdsmen, left 70 injured and prompted a $1 million federal relief package. The new park, planned for a 10-hectare site on Owo’s outskirts, will include a museum, prayer garden, and trauma center, with a N500 million budget funded by state and federal contributions. Bishop Jude Arogundade, leading the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, supported the relocation to preserve the church’s sanctity, while Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, Owo’s traditional ruler, secured community approval through town hall meetings.

Construction is set to begin in Q1 2026, aiming to boost tourism in Ondo, which lost $50 million annually to insecurity. The agreement enhances Aiyedatiwa’s re-election prospects, with polls showing 60% voter support. Community leaders plan to integrate the park into Owo’s cultural festivals, projecting 10,000 annual visitors by 2028, strengthening communal healing and economic growth.