Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.
The announcement was made during an interdenominational commendation service for the late former governor, Omololu Olunloyo, held at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium in Ibadan.
Makinde revealed that the institution, where Olunloyo served as the pioneer Rector, would now bear his name.
Additionally, the state government plans to preserve and digitize Olunloyo’s library, making it a tourist attraction center.
Makinde described the library as a “treasure trove of knowledge” capable of offering solutions to numerous challenges facing the country.
The governor also announced that the Omololu Olunloyo Leisure Park at Alakia-Airport Area of Ibadan, named after the revered statesman, would be commissioned soon.
Makinde expressed his gratitude for Olunloyo’s contributions to the state and country, stating that the event allowed them to provide a befitting passage for an individual who gave a good part of his life to serve Oyo State and Nigeria.
“I have lost a partner. Sometimes, he would tell me how some problems were solved before my time in the state. When people look at me and wonder how Oyo State was so peaceful during my tenure, they don’t know that I go to these leaders and analyse things for myself and leave me to make the best decisions for the state.
“We must give honour to whom it is due. This event is essential; it allows us to provide a befitting passage for an individual who gave a good part of his life to serve this state and country.
“I need to let this gathering know two things. One is that the Omololu Olunloyo Park is ready for commissioning, and we will open it soon.
“Two, in most of my discussions with Baba, there was no way we would talk and wouldn’t get to the issue of his library.
“So, I am making a public announcement now that the state will support the family in preserving and digitising that library.
“It is a library where we can practically find solutions to many challenges we are still facing. We must preserve the library and ensure that when people visit Oyo State, the library becomes a tourist centre that we can showcase,” he said.
Olunloyo died on 6 April 2025, at the age of 89.