It’s like touching the tiger’s tail as massive reactions are pouring in following Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to rename The Polytechnic Ibadan after the late former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.
Members of the institution’s alumni community have rejected the governor’s action and are calling for an immediate review and as well appealed to the members of the ‘vibrant’ Oyo State House of Assembly to decline approving the change of name whenever a bill on the issue is forwarded to them.
The renaming took place during a commendation service held in honor of the late governor in Ibadan.
Also in a press release made available to DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS and titled, “Attempted Murder of the Priceless legacy of The Polytechnic, Ibadan – Dr. Olarinde”, the President of Class 1997 Alumni of the Association of Students Communicators, (ASCOM), the Department of Mass Communication of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Dr. Wole Olarinde, decried the renaming of The Polytechnic Ibadan, to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic by the Oyo State government.
Olarinde described the renaming of The Polytechnic Ibadan to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic by the Oyo state government as an attempt at murdering the age long priceless legacy of the famous institution.
”This is totally unacceptable to all the Alumni of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. The Polytechnic, Ibadan is an established global brand of higher institution of learning.
”The Polytechnic, Ibadan is an immutable entity in the comity of higher institutions globally to have her name changed overnight.
”On behalf of Class 1997 ASCOM Alumni of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, I want to appeal to all the Alumni of the institution to join our hands and raise our voices together to shout and protest against the attempted murder of our collective heritage and hegemony by the Oyo state government by renaming our great The Polytechnic, Ibadan after a late former governor of the state, Omololu Olunloyo.
Yomi Akande, an alumnus and leader of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the institution, expressed widespread dissatisfaction among alumni regarding the announcement.
He stated, “As an alumnus of The Polytechnic Ibadan, the name of the institution holds significant recognition worldwide.”
He added, “While the name of the late Dr. Omololu Olunloyo is honorable, what many people oppose is the change of the institution’s name. This change will not bring any new development to the school.”
Another alumnus, Mr. Olaoluwa Olabode, voiced concerns that the renaming could negatively impact both past and current students.
He expressed skepticism about the move creating any real improvement for the educational institution, suggesting it may be politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the Students Union Government of The Polytechnic Ibadan in a statement jointly signed by the SUG President, Oladipupo Olamide and the Secretary, Azees Tolase, appealed to the Governor to reconsider the renaming of the great institution because of the danger of loss of reputation, the institution is known for.
The SUG added that they are open for dialogue over the issue.
Another body of Old Students Association of The Polytechnic Ibadan see the decision to rename the Institution as anti-progress which must be resisted by well meaning individuals in Ibadan in particular and Oyo state in general.
Rather than renaming, the group challenged the governor to build a magnificent lecture theater and name it after the three-month former governor of old Oyo state who was the pioneer Rector of the institution.
In their opinion, renaming The Polytechnic Ibadan would weaken the globally respected brand and erase the over 50 years legacy of The Polytechnic Ibadan.
