Governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan in honour of a late former governor of the state, 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 announced 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.
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 that in 1983, Baba became the 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.”
Ayo Ladigbolu, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, earlier in his sermon, described the late 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 Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal? The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Dupe Jemibewon, wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Mutiat Ladoja, wife of a former governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja, former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Hazeem Gbolarumi, former Deputy Governor.
Others were Abass Adigun Agboworin, the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Segun Ogunwuy, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Oyo State Exco Members, Saka Balogu, Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Sikiru Sanda, Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Adeniyi Ajewole, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
