Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.

He made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held in honour of the deceased at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, the state capital.

The PUNCH reports that the late former governor, who died on April 6, 2025, a few days before his 90th birthday, was the pioneer Principal of The Polytechnic.

Olunloyo was governor of the Old Oyo State (Osun and Oyo) between October 1 and December 31, 1983.

The governor said the late Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in just one sentence.

He said, “Baba left an enduring footprint on the sands of the state and, indeed, Nigeria as a whole.

“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.

“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became governor of the state.

“Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.”

Speaking on the need to immortalise him, Makinde said, “I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.

“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.” Makinde submitted.

Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ladigbolu, described Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity, who demonstrated leadership of the most superior quality during his lifetime.

Dignitaries at the event were the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former governor of the state, Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi and the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Adeniyi Ajewole and a host of among others.

The body later left the stadium for a liturgical service at St David Anglican Church, Kudeti, before interment.