IN SUPPORT OF RENAMING THE POLYTECHNIC, IBADAN TO OMOLOLU OLUNLOYO POLYTECHNIC, IBADAN

It is in line with the principle of Science, Logic, and Data(which Engr Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State is well noted for)to say that it is very much appropriate and apt to rename The Polytechnic, Ibadan after Dr Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo.

Dr Olunloyo was the first Administrator(Principal now called Rector) of the Institution and the records showed that he performed creditably. 

In addition, Dr Olunloyo was a former Governor of Oyo State.

Academically, he was one of the brightest academics to have been produced by Oyo State. He had 4 As in his Advanced Level Results. Dr Olunloyo bagged his PhD at the age of 25, which was a record during his time. He was a Mathematician, Physicist, and an Engineer combined.

As the first Principal/Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and as a sitting Principal/Rector, he led some Engineering Students of the Institution to design and construct the North Campus - South Campus Road of the Institution under a Direct Labour system, thus saving the Institution a lot of cost in carrying out the much needed road infrastructure at that time. He displayed high level of Integrity, Transparency and Accountability both as the Principal/Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan and as Governor of Oyo State during his brief stay as Oyo State Governor(September - December, 1983).

From the legal point of view, I want to add that, Governor Makinde is the Chief Executive Officer of Oyo State and Oyo State Government is the Proprietor and Owner of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Therefor, the name of The Polytechnic, Ibadan can be changed legally by the Oyo State Government. The decision and action is within the prerogative of the Oyo State Governor.

Dr Olunloyo was an Icon who deserved every step possible to immortalise his name.

Therefore, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, deserves a whole lot of Commendation, rather than Condemnation, on this well thought out decision.

On the part of those who are calling on the Oyo State Governor to reverse the decision of renaming the Institution, I want to say that they are merely acting on sheer Sentiment, rather than Logic and Objectivity.

Therefore, I want to enjoin the Oyo State Governor, with high sense of responsibility, to stand  on the decision to rename the Institution after Dr Omololu Olunloyo, because it is a very sound decision, which is in line with the principle of Logic, Science, and Data, a principle which Governor Seyi Makinde is well noted for.

We have various examples of such decisions which have stood the test of time. A few examples are as follows:

1. University of Ife was renamed, Obafemi Awolowo Univetsity, Ile-Ife, when Chief Obafemi Awolowo died in 1987.

2. Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo was renamed Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, when Chief Rufus Giwa died.

3. Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye was renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, when Chief Olabisi Onabanjo died.

4. Oyo State College of Education, Oyo was renamed Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo, when Arc Deacon Emmanuel Alayande died and was later upgraded to Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo.

5. Oyo State University of Technology, Ogbomoso was renamed Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

There are a lot of other examples across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

For our information, I, Oyefemi Ismail Oyelami Oyetunji, PhD,FCA, am an Alumnus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, with Matriculation Number 79/01/432  and a bona-fide Staff of the Institution, who served merritoriously between 15th October, 1996 and 19th April, 2023 and who delivered the 1st Valedictory Lecture of the Institution on my last working day, 19th April, 2023. I retired as a Chief Lecturer. Therefore, I am writing all the above on the basis of Objectivity, rather than on a mere Sentiment.

Long Live Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan!

Long Live Oyo State!!

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!