The Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee, Ekiti State, Hon. Dare Adeleke has described the death of former governor, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo as shocking and profoundly sad.
Adeleke who revealed, in a condolence message to the family of the late Prof, that he spoke with the late statesman on telephone on the morning of his demise, stated that Nigeria has indeed lost a national treasure.
The message reads:
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM HON. DARE ADELEKE, CHAIRMAN, PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE, EKITI STATE, ON THE PASSING OF DR. VICTOR OMOLOLU OLUNLOYO
It is with a heart weighed down by immense sorrow that I write this tribute in honour of an extraordinary man, a father, a statesman, a scholar of rare genius, a titan of Nigerian democracy, and an irreplaceable pillar of our nation, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former Governor of Oyo State, a distinguished Professor of Mathematics, Balogun of Oyo Kingdom, and an icon whose name will remain eternally etched in the annals of Nigerian history.
Yesterday, the 5th of April, 2025, marked the end of a glorious chapter in the Nigerian story, and the beginning of a difficult reality for those of us left behind. I had the privilege of speaking with him that very yesterday morning, not knowing that it would be our final conversation. A conversation that, in hindsight, was a farewell cloaked in warmth, wisdom, and fatherly grace. We spoke, as we often did, about Nigeria, about ideas, about our people, and the journey ahead. He spoke with such clarity and spirit, not giving the slightest hint that this would be the last time I would hear his voice. If I had known, perhaps I would have held on a little longer, said a little more, or simply let silence speak the volumes that words often fail to convey.
We were looking forward to celebrating Dr’s 90th birthday on the 14th of April. Ironically, he passed just days before his birthday.
To me, he was far more than a mentor, he was a father. He nurtured me with patience, corrected me with love, and guided me with the deep wisdom that only a life rich in experience could offer. His brilliance was not only in his mastery of mathematics or his philosophical depth, but in the way he made everyone around him feel valued, seen, and heard. He bore the title of Balogun of Oyo Kingdom with dignity and honour, representing the true essence of Yoruba nobility; courage, integrity, and a fierce dedication to the upliftment of his people.
Dr. Olunloyo was one of the greatest minds Nigeria has ever known. A true intellectual whose academic excellence saw him rise to become a Professor of Mathematics, a man whose genius stunned the world, and a political leader whose service to the people of Oyo State remains legendary. His leadership was visionary, his policies progressive, and his passion for human development unmatched. He was not one to chase personal glory, but rather sought to build institutions and nurture minds; a legacy that will outlive monuments and titles.
My family and I mourn this irreparable loss to Oyo State, to the entire Yoruba nation, and to the Nigerian federation at large. Dr. Olunloyo was a towering figure in the Nigerian society, a man of profound thought and principled politics, whose contributions helped shape the ideals and direction of our nation.
To the Olunloyo family, I extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences. I pray that God grants you the strength and fortitude to bear this heavy loss. You have not only lost a father, grandfather, and patriarch, but Nigeria has lost a giant, and we all share in your grief. May the legacy he leaves behind comfort you in the days ahead, a legacy built on truth, service, and an unyielding commitment to humanity.
I extend my sympathy to To His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde. Oyo State has lost a legend, a former governor whose service laid foundations upon which future administrations continue to build. I have no doubt that you will honour his legacy in your continuing efforts to develop the state. May this loss deepen our resolve to carry forward the values Dr. Olunloyo embodied: service, excellence, integrity, and unity.
To the good people of Oyo State and the larger Nigerian nation, we have lost a national treasure. We have lost one of the great titans of our democracy, a man who stood firm in turbulent times, who believed in Nigeria’s potential and worked tirelessly to see it realized. He was a rare blend of intellect and patriotism, of tradition and progress, of heritage and future. He was a voice of reason in chaos, a compass in times of uncertainty.
The nation will sorely miss his voice; that unmistakable blend of scholarly insight and moral clarity. We will miss his humour, his stories, his sharp memory of history, and his dreams for a better Nigeria. Though he has transitioned from this earthly realm, his spirit lives on, in the values he upheld, in the people he mentored, in the communities he touched, and in the noble legacy he leaves behind.
As I reflect on our final phone call, I cannot help but feel a sense of divine closure. Though I did not know it then, he was saying goodbye, in his own gracious and quiet way. I am grateful for the moments we shared, for his unfailing support, and for the honour of calling him a father. I will cherish his memory, and continue to live by the principles he so passionately believed in.
May the soul of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo find peaceful repose in the bosom of the Almighty.
Adieu, Baba. Sun re o, Nigeria mourns you.
Signed,
Hon. Dare Adeleke
Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee, Ekiti State
April 6, 2025
