By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan in honour of a late former governor of the state, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, while he also served as governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
The governor made the announcement on Thursday at the state interdenominational funeral service held in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Makinde said that Olunloyo lived an eventful life and 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.
Despite the heavy downpour, many residents and indigenes trooped out in good number to celebrate the late former governor.
The heavy downpour almost denied the Governor from making his remarks. But, determined, the governor in his brief remark, eulogised the late Olunloyo for his exceptional brilliance, even as he made announced the renaming.
The event peaked a series of events that preceded the final journey of the late former governor.
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 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 other dignitaries.
