Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Thursday, renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan in honor of late former governor of the state, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
The governor made the announcement at Obafemi Awolowo (Liberty) Stadium, Ibadan during a state interdenominational funeral service for Olunloyo, who passed away on April 16, 2025.
This decision, Makinde said, was as result of Olunloyo's indelible marks-Not only as the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, but also as governor of the State between between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Paying tribute to Olunloyo, the governor said the late great mathematician lived an eventful life.
He added that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence, as he was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and a man of deep conviction.
He said: “Baba left an enduring footprint on the sands of Oyo State and, indeed, Nigeria as a whole.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Dr Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity who demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
The event had in attendance several numbers of top dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco Members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barr Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among others.
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