The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State, particularly the Olunloyo family, over the demise of the former governor of the state, Victor Olunloyo.

The forum’s chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, stated this in a statement by the PDP-GF’s director-general, Emmanuel Agbo, on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Olunloyo, who governed Oyo State between October 1983 and December 1983, died at 89, on Saturday, a few days before his 90th birthday on April 14.

Mr Mohammed said the forum was saddened by the demise of the deceased, who he described as a “complete gentleman; an exceptional sage, iconic patriot, a devoted elder statesman and devout Christian.”

The forum noted that Mr Olunloyo dedicated his life to the service of God, the stability and growth of his people and the good of humanity at large, aside from being a strong voice for the South-West region.

“The late mathematician, engineer and renowned technocrat will be greatly missed by the people and government of Oyo and Kwara States and the country at large.

“He will also be missed by the entire academic community, especially when the great legacies he laid during his time as the pioneer rector, Ibadan Polytechnic and founding rector, Kwara State Polytechnic, where he helped establish strong academic and administrative foundations.

“Even as his brilliance and foundational contributions to applied mathematics and number theory are remembered.

“As an educator, he profoundly influenced future leaders and fortified educational institutions,” Mr Mohammed said.

He said that with the passage of the Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife, Oyo State had lost a treasure of inestimable value, nationalist par excellence.

The forum chairman also described the deceased as a “distinguished patriot who unrelentingly dedicated his whole life to the selfless service of the people.

Mr Mohammed, however, said the forum was consoled by the fact that the government had immortalised Mr Olunloyo in his lifetime.

He prayed that the Almighty God accept the soul of the departed and comfort those left to mourn him.

(NAN)