Tinubu, Speaker Abbas, Others Mourn Former Oyo Gov Omololu Olunloyo
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor of the old Oyo State, describing him as a brilliant scholar and elder statesman whose legacy will endure in Nigeria’s academic and political landscape.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, have also condoled with the people and government of Oyo State over the passing of former Governor
Dr Olunloyo, who died on Saturday at 89, just days before his 90th birthday, served as Governor of Oyo State between 1st October 1983 and 31st December 1983, under the defunct Second Republic.
The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, extended his condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, the Olunloyo family, and all those who respected and admired the late governor.
The statement said; “Dr. Olunloyo will be celebrated in academic circles for his brilliance and foundational contributions to applied mathematics and number theory. As an educator, he profoundly influenced future leaders and fortified educational institutions”.
President Tinubu recalled Olunloyo’s brief stint as governor of the old Oyo State, acknowledging his exceptional leadership despite the short tenure, which was cut short by military intervention.
He said; “Although his time in office was brief, his tenure was marked by exceptional vision and leadership.
“The abrupt end to his administration due to military intervention did not deter him from continuing to serve the nation”.
The President further lauded Olunloyo’s dedication to national unity and intellectual advancement, describing his life’s work as “enduring milestones in the nation’s history.”
He prayed that “May the Almighty God grant him eternal rest and bring solace to all who mourn this distinguished statesman”.
On their part, Speaker Abass and Deputy Speaker praised Dr Olunloyo’s contributions to academia, politics, and development in Oyo State and Nigeria, describing him as a “thoroughbred technocrat” and “exceptionally brilliant and influential”.
The condolence messages were issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, and the Deputy Speaker’s office.
This is as the Governor Abiodun Makinde-led government and people of Oyo State have also received condolences from the National Assembly (NASS) leadership.
Known for his outstanding academic achievements, Olunloyo
earned a PhD in applied mathematics and number theory from St. Andrews University in Scotland at the age of 25.
At age 27, he became a Commissioner in the old Western Region in 1962, and went on to serve multiple terms as commissioner in the successor Western State.
He also made significant contributions to Nigeria’s education sector, serving as the founding rector of The Polytechnic Ibadan and Kwara State Polytechnic, where he helped establish strong academic and administrative foundations.
