File photo: Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and wife Betty at a funeral service held by the Catholic Diocese of Ondo on June 17, 2022, for victims of the June 5 horrific attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. The attack by gunmen during mass, left at least 40 worshippers killed, and over 80 others injured. The service, held at the Mydas Event and Resort, Owo, was attended also by many top government officials and prominent indigenes of the state.
By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Government on Saturday pledged continuous support to families of victims of the June 5, 2022, horrific attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The attack while the Sunday service was on left at least 41 persons dead and over 80 others injured.
Giving this assurance on Saturday, the State’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who led other state executive council members to a memorial mass in the church on Saturday in Owo, said it was indeed a black Sunday for the people of Ondo State and Nigeria in general.
He said the mass was a gathering of mixed feelings as people would still remember their friends and loved ones who died during the attack.
While appreciating Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for all he had done for the victims and survivors, the deputy governor disclosed that each of the survivors had gotten N500,000 in two tranches, adding that the state government had also built a memorial park in honor of those killed.
Besides, Aiyedatiwa said all the injured victims’ bills were settled by the state government and appreciated all those that donated to the victims in one way or the other.
His words: “It was indeed a black Sunday for us in Ondo State. The unfortunate incident happened when they were doing one of the things the Lord has mandated us to do – worship Him.
“We commiserate with those that have lost their loved ones. They are saints of the Lord now. We need to get closer to God and fulfill His purpose.
“Ondo Government since this incident happened has done so much in a way to support the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We appreciate the governor for all he has done on this disaster”.
Aiyedatiwa said the state government would continue to protect and support all citizens and residents, irrespective of tribe and religion as the state places a high premium on the lives and dignity of human beings.
In his homily, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, said the gathering was not intended to re-enact their anger, but an opportunity to show to the world how the victims have healed in Christ.
Arogundade called on the government to wake up to its responsibility, hold accountable the perpetrators of the dastardly act, and look inward for the emancipation of Nigeria.
The bishop, who said no amount of evil intentions could separate the people from the love of Christ, said Ondo State Government had done what any other government would have done for victims of any attack.
He called on the Federal Government to unveil those behind the attack and bring them to book so that Justice would be served.
Mrs. Jumoke Veronica, who lost her mother to the attack, said life had not been the same since the incident occurred.
Apart from the Deputy Governor, other top government officials including the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, attended the Mass held in memory of the attack victims at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo.
They later joined the Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, the Bishops of the Ondo Diocese of the 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.
Also on Saturday, the state government said that the memorial park built in honour of the slain victims of the massacre will be commissioned soon.
The Chairman of the Owo Attack Donation Management Committee and the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, told reporters during an inspection of the project that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will officially inaugurate the Memorial Park once it is completed.
Akinterinwa, accompanied by other committee members, guided the Catholic Church bishops on a tour of the park, assuring them that the Governor and the state government have shown tremendous empathy and dedication to immortalising the attack’s victims.
In addition to the progress made so far, Akinterinwa announced that the names of the survivors will be engraved on a wall marble, which will be completed soon.
He also said that the remaining internal work will be finished shortly, after which the Memorial Park will be ready for commissioning.
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.”
