A former Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State, Mr Waheed Akanbi has declared that former governor of the state, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo influenced future leaders and fortified many educational institutions across the country.
Akanbi made this declaration while reacting to the death of the former governor of old Oyo State.
Our correspondent reports that Olunloyo, the first Ibadan man to rule the state as governor died in the early hours of Sunday.
Olunloyo occupied the position between October and December 1983.
Akanbi in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, applauded Olunloyo’s remarkable academic and professional journey.
He said that the former governor influenced many future leaders and fortified many educational institutions in the country.
While reflecting on Olunloyo’s tenure as Governor of the old Oyo State, Akanbi said though his time in office was brief, his tenure was marked by exceptional vision and leadership.
He described him as a reservoir of knowledge both modern and native science.
“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.
“Olunloyo’s tenure as Governor of the old Oyo State, though his time in office was brief, his tenure was marked by exceptional vision and leadership.
“The demise of this illustrious son of Ibadan is sudden to me despite his old age, I’m not a person given to emotions but the death of Dr. Omololu Olunloyo took the sails out of me because we were planning to celebrate his 90th birthday, Alas, it dawn on me we have lost a gem – an intellectual passè of the highest order.
“A very brilliant man, simple yet beneath that mien is a powerful and articulate mind that cut across all strata of life. A reservoir of knowledge both modern and native science. Someone who sees tomorrow today. One of my political mentor is gone.
“I am not crying neither would I mourn but would celebrate him with a bottle of very cold Star or Heineken beer for a life well spent. He was a jovial man. Sieve through his library, I’m damn sure he predicted his last moments on Mother Earth.
“I recall his advice to me during the the Ladoja impeachment period. He call me about 3 am and asked where I was. Emphatically, he said I should stay away from the Secretariat Agodi that morning and if I have to go to office I should ensure I have a female buba, iro and gele. That pave my way for escape from battle field Secretariat that morning.
Sleep well Baba. May your soul rest in peace”.
