By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Baale of Ekotedo, Ibadan, Dr Taiye Ayorinde has recounted the times and memories he shared with the late former governor, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
In a statement on Sunday, Dr Ayorinde He described the deceased as his twin brother who shared many things in common, adding that their closeness date back to many years of cordially.
He recounted that although, himself and the deceased talk and share many things together, he could not believe that the last call he got from the late former governor, informing him (Ayorinde) that he (Olunloyo) was being taken to the hospital was a form of saying goodbye.
He lamented that effort to return the call to confirm the hospital and visit him was to no avail, adding that the news of the death was so painful to him.
He said, “I remember that he called me and said he was being taken to the hospital. We were like twin brothers, and we used to call and share opinions virtually almost weekly.
“Since then, I couldn’t trace the hospital or get through to his number again. He was dear to me, and I was dear to him. I never knew that he was saying goodbye to me.
“I tried calling him back, but up till the news of his demise broke, I tried him at least five times a day to know which hospital he was being taken to.
“Our two parents were very close too. Her sister Molara was a gem to me too. Before his demise, we both shared our experiences of the good, the bad, and the ugly, most especially on our families, Ibadan politics, and Nigeria.
“That is the question. There are two young men he told me that were to publish his life history. I spoke with one of them, and he is very well known to me. We were both family friends. The book, if published, will be a box office hit seller.
“As close as we were, he told me some of his regrets and some of his joys. The height he reached in mathematics versus Prof Chike Obi, the feat of how he became the governor of Oyo State. He reminded me of what High Chief Adisa Meredith Akinloye and late Iyalode of Ibadan did when we got to Oyo Town Hall.
“It was all a magical feat. Omo wa ni e je ki o se. The incident of his brilliant son at the university, his married life with Funmilayo, his view and joy about her daughter, the world-acclaimed Kemi Olunloyo, a pharmacist turned media guru,
“His Excellency Chief Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo was to celebrate his 90th birthday in grand style this April with the launching of the book, which would have been the talk of the town. I mean, talk of the world.
“To Victor Omololu Olunloyo, aka Voso, a former maths teacher at Ibadan Grammar School under the principal emeritus Baba Archdeacon Emmanuel Alayande.
“The feat he played with bicycle during the ‘Agbara ya shop, omi yale’.
“Whenever his phone rang, he would say “Omo John,” and my response was always “Omo Voso.” Victor Omololu Olunloyo was born special, as an enigmatic, God-talented Ibadan son of the soil.
“To Omo wa ni e je ko se ti wo aja’ Vini vidi vici. He came, he did his best, and he has conquered it all. I say sleep on till we all meet again,”
