The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has called on the Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde and people of Yorubaland to do everything possible to immortalise late former governor of the state, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo to honour his legacies.
The Yoruba Generalissimo stated this in the statement issued to mourn the late Mathematician who passed away on Sunday at the age of 89.
“As we come to terms with this shocking loss, I commiserate with the late Olunloyo’s family, the Oyo State governor, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde; the Olubadan of Ibadanland; the Oyo State government; the good people of the State and Yorubaland on the loss of our illustrious son.
“As we mourn the passing of Dr. Olunloyo, it is important that we do everything within our reach to immortalise him and honour his legacies,” Aare Adams said.
According to Adams, Olunloyo’s long record of service to the nation and humanity was a source of pride to his family, associates and the Yoruba race.
He added that his demise was without doubt a great loss to Oyo State, the entire Yorubaland and the nation at large.
He recalled that late Olunloyo, who held the traditional titles of Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife till his death, was the first rector, Ibadan Polytechnic and first rector, Kwara State Polytechnic, among other notable appointments.
Adams stated that the deceased was also the Commissioner for Community Development, Education (twice), Special Duties, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which saw him oversee the crowning of two of Nigeria’s monarchs including the immediate-past Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and the late Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Ajagungbade.
He was later appointed chairman of the Western Nigerian Development Corporation. In 1983, Olunloyo ran for governor of the old Oyo State on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform, and defeated the incumbent, Bola Ige of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), assuming office in October 1983.
“Olunloyo was appointed Commissioner for Economic Development for the Western Region in 1962 at the age of 27, in the cabinet of Dr. Moses Majekodunmi. He was re-appointed when Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo was appointed military governor of Western State.
“The late Olunloyo served as the governor of the old Oyo State from October 1, 1983 to December 31, 1983, when the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari took power.
“I received with shock the news of the passage of former Oyo State governor, Victor Omololu Olonloyo in the early of Sunday, April 6, 2025, few months to his 90th birthday,” Adams said.
He further described the late Olunloyo as one of the nation’s finest brains; a great mathematician, an academic of note, respected politician, a nationalist, and a revered leader with ties across geopolitical zones.
“I was close to the great Olunloyo in the latter part of his life. We spoke regularly and he regaled me from time to time with the rich history and evolution of the Yoruba people and indeed, Nigeria.
“I pray to the Supreme Being, the Almighty God, to grant his soul eternal rest”, he said.
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