Ezekiel Awojide, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday condoled with the government and people of Oyo State over the death of Dr Victor Olunloyo, the former governor of old the Oyo State.Tinubu also extended sympathy to the Olunloyo family and all who knew and respected the late elder statesman and scholar.The president’s condolence message was contained in a statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman.“Olunloyo, renowned for his mathematical prowess, obtained a PhD in Applied Mathematics and umber Theory from St. Andrews University in Scotland at 25.“In 1962, at just 27, he became a commissioner in the old Western Region. He served multiple times as commissioner in the Western State, which succeeded the Western Region.He further extolled the deceased’s leadership qualities as the founding rector of The Polytechnic Ibadan and Kwara State Polytechnic. “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,” Tinubu said.Reflecting on Olunloyo’s tenure as governor of the old Oyo State, Tinubu remarked: “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.” Nigeria has lost an icon, says MakindeMeanwhile, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has described the death of Olunloyo as a great loss not only to the state but to the country.Makinde said this in a condolence message, issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Sunday in Ibadan.The governor said the country had lost a patriotic leader, an icon, and one of its most cerebral former administrators with the demise of the politician.He said, “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 Ibadan land, and the state on the demise of the former governor.“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.“This death hits differently because I was looking forward to Baba’s 90th birthday, which would have come up on April 14.“However, we have to submit to the will of God, who gives and takes lives as He wills. “My joy is that our government immortalised and honoured Pa Olunloyo in his lifetime and he was present to witness it as we named the Ibadan Airport Road and the Leisure Park on the axis after him, in recognition of his service to the state.The death of Pa Olunloyo was confirmed on Sunday morning through a statement issued by his family.The deceased died just a few days before his 90th birthday.
