By Concerned Citizen
The recent demolition of the Owo Memorial Park by the Ondo State Government has stirred widespread discontent, reopening old wounds and symbolising a deeper issue that has long plagued the state—a history of missed opportunities, abandoned legacies, and political short-sightedness.
The park, which was constructed in memory of the victims of the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, was built barely three years ago with a mix of public funds and private donations. Its removal has raised serious concerns over the sincerity of governance and the priorities of those at the helm of affairs in Ondo State.
One of the most notable reactions came from the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, which recently raised concerns over the demolition and demanded a clear explanation from the state government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Jude Arogundade, described the action as “a violation of our common respect for the dignity of life” and deemed it “unacceptable.” Addressed to both the faithful and the general public, the statement disclosed that the Diocese had formally written to the Governor of Ondo State requesting an audience and seeking clarification.
However, more than 72 hours later, no response has been received from the state government.
The demolition comes at a time when many indigenes of the state are still reeling from a revelation made during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Nasarawa State. Speaking during the visit, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, a former Acting Group Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Refinery, recounted how Ondo State was initially selected as the preferred location for the $20 billion Dangote Refinery. The project, which is now situated in Lagos, could have dramatically altered the trajectory of Ondo’s industrial development.
The reason for the relocation of the project was attributed to the failure of the then-Ondo State administration to provide the enabling environment and the requisite follow-through. It was a painful reminder of a massive opportunity squandered, one that could have brought jobs, infrastructure, and global relevance to a state already blessed with natural resources and strategic coastal access.
Since its creation on February 3, 1976, Ondo State has boasted a tradition of visionary, selfless, and principled leadership. Icons such as late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Olu Falae, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu stand out as examples of what purposeful governance and leadership could look like. These individuals, each in their respective eras, worked to lay the foundation for an Ondo State built on integrity, education, and development.
The enduring impact of late Pa Adekunle Ajasin’s administration remains visible in Ondo State’s architectural landscape. His financial prudence and visionary approach to governance and infrastructure development laid the foundation for many of the state’s enduring public buildings and institutional structures, which still stand today as testaments to his legacy of purposeful leadership and sound planning.
Dr. Agagu, in particular, is widely credited with opening up the state through massive infrastructure development, industrialization and laying the groundwork for the Olokola Free Trade Zone, a project that could have cemented Ondo as a hub for industrialisation in Nigeria.
But successive administrations failed to sustain this momentum. In what many have termed politics of bitterness, Agagu’s successor, former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, reportedly distanced his administration from many of Agagu’s ongoing projects. One of the most significant casualties was the Dangote Refinery project, which was bungled under Mimiko’s watch and eventually lost to Lagos State.
The refinery project, had it been successfully sited in Ondo State, could have served as a catalyst for unlocking the state’s coastal potential. It would have paved the way for the development of a functional seaport and attracted a cluster of petrochemical industries, positioning the state as a major industrial and maritime hub in the region.
That single misstep not only cost Ondo a major economic lifeline but also signalled to investors a lack of cohesion and seriousness in the state’s leadership.
The abandonment of development projects has become a troubling pattern in Ondo State. Despite its abundance of bitumen, limestone, granite, oil, and other natural resources, the state continues to lag behind in industrial growth and infrastructural development. This stagnation is even more glaring when compared with neighbouring Ekiti State, which was carved out of Ondo in 1996. Despite having fewer natural resources, Ekiti has steadily progressed through careful planning, investment particularly in Agriculture value chain, education, and strong institutions.
Since the exit of Dr. Agagu from office, Ondo’s development has largely remained static. Successive governors, including the late Rotimi Akeredolu and now Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have struggled to bring meaningful transformation. While Akeredolu was credited with improving security and initiating a few infrastructure projects, he, like others before him, lacked the high-level business networks required to attract major investors. Aiyedatiwa, though relatively new in office, appears to be repeating old mistakes, with the demolition of the Owo Memorial Park being the latest example.
Observers say the act was executed without adequate consultation, especially with the Catholic Church, which was the primary stakeholder and target during the tragic attack in Owo. The symbolic park had served not just as a place of remembrance, but as a unifying space for grief, healing, and hope. Its destruction, reportedly at the behest of local traditional authorities, has been condemned by many, including Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Ondo Catholic Diocese, whose flock bore the brunt of the attack.
More alarming is the precedent such actions set. A state that fails to honour the memory of its slain citizens is unlikely to win the trust of potential investors, especially in a world increasingly driven by social responsibility, empathy, and historical consciousness. The international community, charitable organisations, and diaspora groups who contributed to the park’s construction are watching closely and many are disappointed.
Beyond symbolism, the lack of infrastructure in Ondo remains a standing indictment. The state still has no modern stadium, with sports teams like Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens suffering relegation due to poor facilities and administrative lapses. The stadium project initiated by Agagu was abandoned, and no successive administration has deemed it necessary to complete or upgrade it. Ondo’s development setbacks are not just accidental, they are as a result of poor planning, destructive politics, and absence of visionary leadership.
Residents of the state were taken aback by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s prolonged hesitation in continuing projects initiated by his late predecessor, despite both men being elected on the same party platform. While a few of these projects have been reluctantly completed or ongoing as they may say, a significant number remain abandoned or stalled—this, despite the state receiving consistent and significantly increased federal allocations.
Although the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu may not be regarded as the most celebrated or successful governor in Nigeria’s history, his achievements during his tenure remain unmatched in many respects. One of his most notable legacies was his exceptional commitment to transparency and accountability.
As governor, Agagu consistently declared the monthly federal allocations received by the state and provided detailed breakdowns of how the funds would be spent—a practice that has not been replicated by any of his successors. This level of openness was particularly remarkable given the broader context of the era, when the People’s Democratic Party was often criticised for unchecked public spending.
The state’s agricultural sector remains largely underdeveloped, hindered by a lack of critical investments and modern infrastructure. This stagnation continues to impact the broader economy, with youth unemployment persisting as a major challenge due to limited job creation and underutilization of the state’s vast agricultural potential.
For years, the persistent trend of exporting over 90% of the state’s major cash crops, particularly cocoa, without significant value addition has remained a source of concern. This practice has limited the state’s ability to maximise revenue from its agricultural wealth and stifled opportunities for agro-industrial development and job creation.
Governance in Ondo must shift from vendetta-driven policies to continuity and capacity-based administration. The tendency to demolish, abandon, or rename projects associated with past governments must stop if the state is to experience any meaningful progress. Development is a continuum, and successful states are those that build on the legacies of their predecessors.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who has begun unveiling projects to mark his first 100 days in office, has a rare chance to rewrite this narrative. However, he must drop the old mentality of governance that prioritises personal interest over collective good. The people of Ondo State are watching—and hoping. They desire a leadership that will break the cycle of underdevelopment and finally realise the state’s immense potential.
Credit is due to President Bola Tinubu, whose administration is investing significantly in major road infrastructure across the country, including in Ondo State. Notably, Ore-Ondo-Akure dualization and the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is expected to open up strategic parts of the state, positioning it for increased economic activity and attracting serious business investment which the Lucky of Ondo state must practically double up to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Until then, incidents like the Owo Park demolition will continue to serve as painful reminders that Ondo’s stalled development is no accident—it is the result of years of repeated missteps and missed opportunities.
