Oyo State Mourns The Loss Of Former Governor Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has expressed profound sadness at the passing of Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, a former governor and celebrated mathematician, who died just days shy of his 90th birthday. In a heartfelt statement released on Sunday, Makinde hailed Olunloyo as one of Nigeria’s brightest minds and a towering figure in the nation’s administrative history, underscoring the immense void left by his departure.
Dr Olunloyo, a revered statesman and intellectual, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, bringing an end to a remarkable life dedicated to public service and academic excellence. His death, occurring so close to his milestone 90th birthday on 14 April, has added a poignant note to the grief felt across Oyo State and beyond.
Speaking on behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, Governor Makinde extended his deepest condolences to the Olunloyo family, the residents of Ibadanland, and the wider state community. “On behalf of the Government and the good People of Oyo State, I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr Omololu Olunloyo, the people of Ibadanland, and Oyo State on the demise of the former governor,” he said.
Makinde described Olunloyo as an icon whose contributions to the state’s development were both profound and enduring. “In Dr Olunloyo, we have lost another icon. This time, we lost a highly cerebral and patriotic leader, who served our great state at its early stages,” he remarked. The governor highlighted the personal sorrow of losing such a figure just before a landmark celebration, noting, “It is particularly painful that this renowned mathematician and statesman passed away just before reaching his 90th birthday.”
Dr Olunloyo’s legacy as a brilliant mind and dedicated public servant has been widely acknowledged. His tenure as governor of Oyo State, though brief, from October to December 1983, left an indelible mark, reflecting his commitment to progress and intellectual rigour. A distinguished mathematician, he also held prestigious roles such as the first Rector of Ibadan Polytechnic and Kwara State Polytechnic, cementing his reputation as a pioneer in both academia and governance.
Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria, with many echoing Makinde’s sentiments about the magnitude of the loss. The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), in a related statement, likened Olunloyo to Nigeria’s own Albert Einstein, a testament to his extraordinary intellect and influence.
As Oyo State mourns, the Olunloyo family has requested privacy during this difficult time, with plans underway for a befitting burial to honour the late governor’s illustrious life. Governor Makinde’s words resonate as a call to celebrate a legacy that will continue to inspire generations: a legacy of brilliance, patriotism, and unwavering service to the people of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
