With a deep sense of loss and reverence, we bid farewell to one of the brightest minds and noblest sons of our land, Chief (Dr.) Victor Omololu Sowemimo Olunloyo, who has departed this world at the remarkable age of 90. A man of exceptional brilliance, unmatched erudition, and unshakeable integrity, Chief Olunloyo was not just a former Governor of Oyo State he was a phenomenon, an institution, and a towering pillar in Nigeria’s intellectual and political landscape.
A prodigious mathematician who earned global acclaim, Chief Olunloyo’s mind was a beacon of logic and brilliance. He stood tall among the world’s intellectual elite, not merely as a Nigerian but as a black African who shattered barriers and redefined academic excellence. He was a gift to the world, a sage whose humility adorned his genius.
As a politician, he brought the same precision and thoughtfulness to governance that he did to mathematics. His brief but impactful tenure as Governor of Oyo State was marked by visionary leadership, intellectual discipline, and an unwavering commitment to justice and development. He was a philosopher-king, whose politics was rooted in service, not self; in principles, not power.
Even outside the corridors of government, Chief Olunloyo remained a voice of wisdom and conscience, mentoring generations, speaking truth to power, and preserving the soul of our nation with his uncommon grace and wit.
Oyo has lost a gem. Nigeria has lost a sage. The world has lost a mind that shone like a constellation across time.
Yet, we do not mourn like those without hope. We celebrate a life well lived 90 glorious years of purpose, impact, and unmatched legacy. We enshrine his memory not in stone, but in the living testimonies of those he inspired and the path he helped pave.
To the Olunloyo family, we extend our deepest condolences. May the Almighty comfort you and grant you the strength to carry on his towering legacy.
May the soul of Chief Omololu Olunloyo, the illustrious son of Africa, rest in eternal peace wrapped in the embrace of history, and immortalized by the generations he awakened.
Adieu, Mathematician of the People.
Adieu, Governor of Conscience.
Adieu, Icon of Oyo and Nigeria.
By : Jide Adesina
Editor-In-Chief
