Ondo: Owo Catholic Church Victims Get Cash Reward

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government on Tuesday provided succor for the victims of the June 5 attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo with presentation of cash gift.

Chairman of the donation management committee, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa who led other members of the committee to Owo, explained that the move was in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, to give required support to all the victims of the attack.

Governor Akeredolu had constituted a committee to manage funds donated by public-spirited individuals and corporate organizations into the Owo Terrorists Attack Relief Fund.

The committee, which has the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa as its Chairman also has as members representatives of Olowo of Owo and that of the Catholic Church.

Akinterinwa explained that the committee collated names and addresses of all the victims, families of the deceased and the injured, based on the funds received into the account so far.

He noted that each of the families of the deceased and the injured have been given cash gift, adding that the disbursement will continue if more funds are received into the account.

”This is another series of support the Ondo State Government is giving to the victims.

“What we have done on this occasion is to collate all the victims, families of the deceased and the injured, based on the funds we have received into the account we opened.

“We felt that it was proper with the approval of the Governor to reach out to these families and that is why we are here today.

“We have given each of the families of the deceased and the injured cash gifts and as we receive more funds into the account, we will continue to disburse.

“At the end of the day, we will make public all the funds received, the amount received from home where we were allowed to and it will be transparent and how it was utilized.

“We want to thank all those who have donated on behalf of the Ondo State Government, we thank them for their immense contribution, as God will continue to bless them.

“Also to let all the members of the public know that the account is still very much open and we are still expecting and willing to receive donations.

“It can never be too much and for those who still want to donate, our account will be made available. If you go to our website, you can still make donations.”

Some of the families of the injured and deceased thanked the state government for the relief fund given to them.

One of the injured, Ayo Adetunji, a young boy, said the incident happened with no prior notice, adding that it was God that saved his life.

Adetunji appreciated Ondo State Government for remembering him with such a relief fund.

Those who benefited from the cash gifts included: Mr. Agbom Paul who lost his late brother’s wife; Evaristus Oluchukwu; Mrs. Helen Ifeanyi; Fabian Nweke; Mrs. Theophine Ogoegbunam; Chief Titus Oranuba, injured; Sunday Festus; Precious Sunday; Oladele Christianah; Ozorchukwu Angela; and Ofene Joseph.