Dotun Oyelade, the state’s information commissioner, has criticized the state’s decision to rename The Polytechnic Ibadan in honor of Victor Olunloyo, a former governor of the state.
Oyelade made this statement on Wednesday’s episode of The Morning Brief on Channels Television, in response to a protest by polytechnic students on Tuesday against the state government’s decision.
“Don’t forget that this man was the same man who became the institution’s first rector in 1970, when he was 35 years old. We therefore think that the protestation is somewhat lost and misplaced.
We support that choice because it is appropriate for a respectable state’s son, he said.
Read more about the students’ protests against the polytechnic Ibadan’s renaming.
The commissioner argued that despite the state government’s respect for the academic institution’s students, it would continue to make its own determination.
Oyelade added that the students’ opposition was caused by their ignorance of the former governor’s contribution to the state’s development.
We show great respect for our students. We rely on them, and as the deputy governor pointed out yesterday, we’ll do anything to please them.
“But we’ll be tough and fair.” We are sticking to our decision this time, he continued.
To honor the late scholar, Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, changed the name to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan on June 26, 2025.
Olunloyo, who passed away on April 6, 2025, was the polytechnic’s founding principal and also served as state governor between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Makinde said, “I discussed preserving and digitising his library yesterday in honor of Baba Olunloyo,” at the state interdenominational funeral service held in honor of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
“Today, we’re going to honor Baba in order to make him immortal.” He was the Polytechnic’s first Principal in Ibadan, which will now go by the name Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.
However, on Tuesday, Olunloyo was the institution’s new name, prompting students from the polytechnic to protest the name change at the Oyo State Government Secretariat.
The angry student urged the polytechnic’s founder to reverse his decision and give the school its current name by carrying placards with various inscriptions.
The Ibadan Polytechnic’s students, led by Olamide Oladipupo, president of the Students Union Government (SUG), made an appeal to the governor to protect the institution’s legacy, which is reflected in the name it bears all over the world.
Source: Channels TV
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