Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, took to the streets in protest on Tuesday, rejecting the recent decision by the state government to rename the institution as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic.
The renaming was made in honour of the late former governor of old Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, who passed away at age 89. He was the first Ibadan-born governor of the old Oyo State.
Campus Activities Disrupted, Roads Blocked
The protest brought academic and administrative activities at the institution to a halt. Major roads in Ibadan were also blocked by students, leaving many commuters stranded and causing significant gridlock in the city.
The aggrieved students blocked the main gates of the institution and other strategic roads, expressing frustration over the lack of consultation in the decision-making process.
March to the Governor’s Office and Students’ Demands
The students marched in large numbers to the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, where they chanted solidarity songs and held up placards with messages like:
- “Revert The Name Now”
- “We Are Not Consulted”
- “Our Identity, Our Pride”
Students’ Union Leader Speaks Out
Olamide Oladipupo, President of the Students’ Union, addressed the media, clarifying that the protest was peaceful and respectful.
- “We are not against honouring leaders, but not at the expense of our institution’s legacy,” he said.
- “This school’s name has stood for over 50 years and carries a heritage recognized globally. We want the name to remain The Polytechnic, Ibadan. There are other ways to honour the late Governor Olunloyo without altering our school’s identity.”
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Oladipupo emphasized that the protest was not against Governor Seyi Makinde, but a plea for dialogue and reconsideration.
Government Responds
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, who addressed the students on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, appealed for calm.
“On behalf of the Governor, I admonish you to remain peaceful. Your demands will be presented to him upon his return to the state,” Lawal assured.
The protest highlights the emotional and historical significance of the institution’s name, with students and alumni insisting that The Polytechnic, Ibadan, is not just a name but a symbol of pride, legacy, and identity.
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