…as Soyinka, Olagunju, others re-echo Olunloyo’s impact on traditional institution
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, award-winning journalist Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, and other eminent personalities have extolled the virtues and far-reaching contributions of the late former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, describing him as a genius whose legacy spans across governance, academics, culture, and traditional institution.
They made these remarks on Wednesday during a symposium tagged “A Requiem Symposium: Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, A Legacy of Uncommon Brilliance”, organized by the Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Ibadan.
The event brought together dignitaries from different spheres of life to honour the late intellectual and political icon, acknowledging his role in key moments of Nigerian history and the traditional institution.
Speaking at the event, Obasanjo recounted Olunloyo’s crucial role in the enthronement of the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. He recalled that as Commissioner in the old Western Region, Olunloyo was instrumental to the approval of Oba Adeyemi’s selection by the Oyomesi (kingmakers), a process that required sensitive political and cultural navigation.
“There was a time Olunloyo came to my office as Area Commander in charge of security to inform me of the decision of Oyomesi to install Oba Lamidi Adeyemi as the next Alaafin of Oyo,” Obasanjo said.
“He sat down and took a piece of paper and said, ‘You know I have a problem.’ I said, ‘Victor, I’ve never known you to have a problem.’ He replied, ‘The kingmakers have selected the son of Alaafin that Chief Awolowo sent on exile.”
Obasanjo advised Olunloyo to consult the Ooni of Ife for guidance. “Baba (Ooni) advised that they should enthrone children of the lineage that had ruled in the past. These are the people that will not mess up the throne,” he added.
He said Olunloyo acted on the advice, and further consultations with Chief Adegbenro eventually resolved the matter.
Describing the late Olunloyo as a man of profound intellect, Obasanjo noted:
“Olunloyo is more than a scholar, brilliant man, and author of many books – he was a genius. His exceptional intelligence is beyond ordinary.”
He added, “With Omololu, anything he touched, he did with ease, almost too easily. He studied engineering and ended up excelling as a mathematician. It all came naturally to him like play.”
Obasanjo also highlighted Olunloyo’s unique personality: “You cannot talk about Omololu without mentioning a part of his life that some referred to as political rascality or seeming unseriousness. I used to enjoy that part of him. Because every time we met, he always appeared unserious at first, but what would eventually come out of him was deep, profound, and very serious.”
Reflecting on their time in the old Western Region government, Obasanjo remarked, “Our cabinet was evenly split; six from Awolowo’s side, six from Akintola’s. But there was one man whose allegiance you couldn’t pin down. Was he with Awolowo or with Akintola? That man was Omololu Olunloyo. I think, in truth, he was on both sides.”
In his tribute, Prof. Wole Soyinka described Olunloyo as “a mathematical genius whose legacy will never be forgotten.” He noted that his influence in both academics and politics was vast and enduring.
Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, Editor of the Saturday Tribune, spoke on Olunloyo’s “Mathematical Journalism” and praised his analytical approach to national issues.
“Olunloyo’s mathematical analysis of Nigeria’s political problems is still relevant today,” he said.
Similarly, Dr. Wale Babalakin, Global President of Government College Ibadan (GCI) Old Boys Association, lauded Olunloyo as “a genius among geniuses,” noting that GCI was proud to count him among its most illustrious alumni.
“There is no other school in Nigeria that has produced the kind of genius that Government College Ibadan has. That makes it the best secondary school in Nigeria,” Babalakin asserted.
The symposium was graced by several high-profile dignitaries including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barr. Niyi Ajewole; Senator Kola Balogun; and former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Chief Bisi Ilaka, among others.