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See Reasons Protests Rocks Owo Town Over Location of Terror Attack Memorial Cenotaph

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 30th, 2024.

Last Wednesday, youths, community leaders, and chiefs in Owo, Ondo State, held a peaceful rally to protest the placement of a cenotaph opposite the Olowo of Owo’s Palace. The cenotaph commemorates the victims of the 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, which resulted in numerous deaths. The protesters are urging the state government to convert the memorial park into a mall instead.

Their objections include the belief that the cenotaph contradicts Yoruba culture and tradition, offering no economic benefit and constantly reminding the community of the tragic event. The protesters, led by Olakoli Ayodeji Aboba, Alamuren Kayode, Kola Ogunrinde, Adegoke Experience, and Ojo Olawolu, carried placards with messages such as “Remove the forbidden structure,” “This is a taboo in Yoruba land,” and “Turn this place into a Mall.”

Aboba stated, “We led over 500 Owo indigenes in a peaceful protest to inform the world that the government should replace the memorial park opposite the Olowo’s palace with a mall or sports center. The cenotaph is not only an embarrassment but also a taboo in our culture.”

The cenotaph, unveiled by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, commemorates over 40 victims of the attack and lists their names. Despite previous pleas from the community and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, to choose a different location, Akeredolu proceeded with the project. The Olowo had even offered alternative sites, but the governor remained steadfast.

Prince Olanrewaju Abegunde, a notable figure in Owo, argued that the cenotaph adds to the town’s sorrow and painful memories. He pleaded with the state government to convert the site into a shopping mall or another beneficial structure, noting that many family members of the victims avoid the area due to its emotional impact. Additionally, Abegunde pointed out that a cenotaph already exists at the church where the attack occurred.

Community leaders, including High Chief Morenike Olajide Ogunseitan, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to respect tradition. Ogunseitan urged the state government to act swiftly to resolve the controversy. Mrs. Rachael Idowu Omolayo, an expert in Yoruba history and culture, highlighted that it is forbidden for an Oba to see a cenotaph, calling the current location inappropriate and advocating for a commercial center instead.

An anonymous resident shared that the memorial’s presence has deterred her from passing through the area, as it painfully reminds her of losing five family members in the attack.