Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic in honour of the late former governor, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
Olunloyo, who died on April 6, this year, was the pioneer Principal of the institution..
The governor announced this yesterday at the state interdenominational service in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan.
Makinde said Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that he was a scholar, statesman, technocrat, lover of culture and man of deep conviction.
Despite the downpour, many residents and indigenes trooped out to celebrate the late former governor.
The rain almost prevented the governor from making his remarks.
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 Olunloyo as a role model with inspiration and unassailable integrity who demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
At the ceremony were the state Deputy Governor, 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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others included the member representing Ibadan Northeast/Southeast Federal Constituency, Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco Members; Chairman, Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman, All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Sikiru Sanda; President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members.
