By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde; former Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, joined prominent Nigerians who mourned the former governor of old Oyo State, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, who passed away today, just before his 90th birthday.
Makinde described the demise as the exit of one of the state’s and Nigeria’s most cerebral former administrators.
He stated this on Sunday, April 6, in a statement mourning the death of the former governor.
Makinde commiserated with the entire Olunloyo family, the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State.
He noted that it was sad that the late Mathematics guru and administrator passed away before his 90th birthday.
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 Ibadanland and Oyo 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 14th.
“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.
“May the Lord grant repose to his soul and give his family the fortitude to bear his demise.”
On her part, Oloye Akinjide described the death as the loss of a Polymath to the country.
Akinjide, in a statement she personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Sunday, expressed sadness that though the former governor was of a ripe age, his demise was still a great loss.
She stated: “Chief Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo was a highly cerebral and principled man whose opinions and advice were invaluable to me.
“He had a high regard for my late dad, and the respect was mutual. Losing him, albeit at a ripe age, is still a great loss to the nation.
“As a statesman and former governor of Oyo State, he has left a legacy too difficult to surpass.
“He was a world-class mathematician, consummate administrator, and an engineer of repute. He will be greatly missed. Chief Olunloyo was a rare gift to the world.
“I share this sad moment to condole with Oyo State governor, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde; the good people of Oyo State, Baba’s widow, family members, and numerous admirers. May his soul rest in peace.”
Also, Dr Adedeji stated that his death was the dropping of one the finest stars from Nigeria’s sky.
Adedeji, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Dare Adekanmbi, said the deceased was a genius of a rare breed, adding that he marvelled at Olunloyo’s intellectual depth and native intelligence.
“Papa Olunloyo could rightly be described as Nigeria’s Albert Einstein. He graduated with First Class Honours and proceeded to bag a PhD in Applied Mathematics at the age of 26 at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.
“Every moment I shared with Papa while he was with us was an opportunity to pick lifelong lessons. He was very deep and his intellection was not just in Mathematics, but also in Classical Music with a bias for W.A Mozart’s works as well as in Literature.
“He would recite paragraphs and even lengthier dialogues from Shakespeare’s works and show how the lessons therein can be applied to life and living.
“An African adage says ‘for every old man that dies, a library is set ablaze’. This is what has happened in this instance. A library of encyclopaedic collections has been set ablaze with the departure of Dr. Olunloyo.”
Adedeji commiserated with family, friends and admirers of Dr. Olunloyo, noting that “though Papa was advanced in age, his wealth of experience was still needed.”
Also, Senator Yunus Akintunde (representing Oyo Central) mourned that the development was coming at a time when his (Olunloyo’s) wisdom was most needed.
