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The name of the renowned institution, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, have been changed to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, renamed the institution in honour of a late former governor of old Oyo State, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr. 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 at the state interdenominational funeral service held in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
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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 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, charged Nigerians to play their respective roles in transforming the nation, prayed God to raise more heroes for the betterment of Nigeria.
He 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.
Bishop Ladigbolu, commended Governor Makinde for honouring Dr. Olunloyo, during his life time and after.
Governor Makinde had earlier named airport road and Omololu Olunloyo leisure park, both at Alakia area of Ibadan after Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, who died few days to his 90th birthday.
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