By Kolawole Ojebisi
A former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Olunloyo, is dead.
According to a statement by his family on Sunday, he died a few days before his 90th birthday.
The statement titled ‘Victor Olunloyo goes home’ was signed Oladapo Ogunwusi on behalf of the family.
It read, “With a heavy heart but gratitude to the Almighty, we announce the passing into glory of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former governor of Oyo State, mathematician and engineer and renowned technocrat, a few days before his 90th birthday.
“The Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife, Dr. Olunloyo was first Rector, Ibadan polytechnic and first Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic among other notable appointments.
“His long record of service to the nation and humanity is a source of pride to his family and associates even as we come to grip with this devastating event.
“The Olunloyo family will appreciate the understanding of the press and the public as they commence efforts to give him a befitting burial.
“Even from everlasting to everlasting, He is God.”
Olunloyo became the governor of Oyo State in 1983 having defeated the late Ajibola Ige, the first executive governor of the state.
The mathematician contested on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) while Ige was of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
With the development, Olunloyo thwarted Ige’s second term ambition.
Olunloyo’s reign, however, was short as his tenure was truncated by the coup that ushered in the military regime of Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983.
The 1983 coup which brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power, ended Nigeria’s Second Republic and marked the beginning of another sixteen years of military Interregnum.
