The Ondo State Government on Tuesday donated millions of naira to the victims of the June 5 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The cash donation was made by the donation management committee led by the Chairman and the State commissioner for finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa.
Akinterinwa led other members of the committee including Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye; Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Ajaka; representative of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Adebunmi Osadahun; representative of Olowo of Owo, Chief Amos Aladeseye; and the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Kayode Edema.
They were received by the Church Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Anagu, who is also a member of the committee.
Addressing the victims and families of the deceased, the committee chairman noted that the donation was in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, to give required support to all the victims of the attack.
Akinterinwa explained that the committee had carefully collated the names of both injured and deceased so as to provide succor for them.
He stressed that from the funds received into the account so far, each of the families of the deceased and the injured have been given cash donations.
The committee assured that the disbursement will continue when more funds are received into the account.
While stating that the cash gift was part of the series of supports given by the Governor since the incident occurred, the finance commissioner equally assured that the committee will make public all the funds received at the end of its assignment.
“On behalf of the Ondo State Government, We want to thank all those who have donated into this account. We thank them for their immense contribution, and God will continue to bless them.
“Also, we want to let all members of the public to know that the account is still very much open and we are still expecting more 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.” Akinterinwa said.
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, described the attack as unexpected, while thanking God for saving his life after surviving a gun shot.
Others who benefited from the cash donations include: 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.
