Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan after the late former governor of the old Oyo State, Omololu Olunloyo.
Makinde made the announcement in his brief remarks at the interdenominational commendation service for the late former governor held at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium in Ibadan.
The governor did not disclose when the new name will take full effect, but he noted that the renaming is part of efforts to preserve Olunloyo’s legacy and contributions to the state.
Omololu Olunloyo, who died on April 6, at the age of 89, was a renowned mathematician and politician. He briefly served as governor of the old Oyo State between October and December 1983 before the military coup led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari ended the Second Republic.
Born in 1935, Olunloyo held several key positions during his lifetime including commissioner roles under the military government of Colonel Adeyinka Adebayo in the Western Region and during the Yakubu Gowon administration.
He was also a former commissioner for economic development and finance and later commissioner for education in the old Western Region and had a distinguished academic background in mathematics and engineering.
The Polytechnic, Ibadan, established in 1970, is one of Nigeria’s premier tertiary institutions focused on technical and vocational education. It offers National and Higher National Diploma programmes across various fields of study.
Makinde had in May constituted a new governing council for the institution, with Professor Lanre Nassar appointed as chairman.
The renaming of the institution follows other steps taken by the Makinde administration to honour distinguished indigenes of the state.
Plans are underway to officially commission the Omololu Olunloyo Park, which was completed during the late statesman’s lifetime.
Olunloyo is survived by children including controversial journalist Kemi Olunloyo.