The Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum and Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the Second Republic Governor of Oyo State, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, describing his death as a great loss to Oyo State, the people of Ibadan in particular, and the South-West and Nigeria as a whole.
Former Governor Olunloyo, a renowned mathematician and scholar who governed Oyo State between 1st October and 31st December 1983, passed away on Sunday, just a few days before his 90th birthday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with his Oyo State counterpart, Engr Seyi Makinde, as well as the deceased’s family, friends, and associates, urging them to take solace in the fact that the late Olunloyo lived a fulfilled life.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, as well as the South-West Governors Forum, I commiserate with my brother, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the government and people of Oyo State on the death of Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
“I also sympathise with the immediate family of the deceased, the sons and daughters of Ibadan, the extended Olunloyo family, and the deceased’s friends and associates over the loss of the accomplished scholar,” the governor said.
The Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum described the late Olunloyo as a seasoned administrator, mathematician, and scholar of high repute, as well as a renowned technocrat who distinguished himself as a genius and intellectual during his lifetime.
According to him, the late Olunloyo was more than a politician and governor; he was a man of many parts who excelled in both the private and public sectors, particularly in education, as a mathematician, scholar, and the first Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic.
He recalled that Olunloyo, who was appointed Commissioner for Economic Development for the Western Region in 1962 at the age of 27, later served as Commissioner for Community Development, Education (twice), and other portfolios. He also served Oyo State passionately as governor during his three months in office, contributing his quota to the growth and development of the state.
“Dr Omololu Olunloyo was more than a politician and governor. He was a man of many parts who distinguished himself in both the private and public sectors, particularly in the education sector as a mathematician, scholar, and the first Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic.
“He was Commissioner for Economic Development for the Western Region in 1962 at the age of 27 and later served as Commissioner for Community Development, Education (twice), Special Duties, Local Government, and Chieftaincy Affairs before being elected as the Governor of Oyo State during the Second Republic.
“He served Oyo State passionately as governor during his three months in office, contributing his quota to the growth and development of the state. He was also a political leader in Oyo State before his death,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
“I pray that Almighty God is pleased with the soul of Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo and grants the family, the people of Ibadan, Oyo State, and the South-West of Nigeria the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he prayed.
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