Gabriel Dike
It was rare opportunity for staff and students of the nation’s oldest tertiary institution, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to drink from the fountain of knowledge of 84-year-old former Governor of old Oyo state, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo who demonstrated his proficiency in Mathematics at an event in the college recently.
The staff and students had the rare opportunity to tap from Dr. Olunloyo (guest lecturer) wealth of knowledge in Mathematics at the First Research and Development Public Lecture organised by YABATECH with the topic: Mathematics, Science, Technology and Innovations.
The citation of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo revealed that he shook the foundations of the British educational landscape like a tornado and strode like a colossus with gigantic academic achievements.
It reads: ‘’This young gem graduated with B.Sc. (General Engineering – Civil and Mechanical Engineering) in June 1957 having notable first in First Class in Theory of Structures and all Mechanical subjects and First Class in Mechanical Design. In July 1958, this rare gem achieved yet another feat by bagging B.Sc. (First Class Honours) degree in Mechanical Engineering.
‘’ He was treated to an adoring and high profile graduation ceremony. The young engineer was specially transferred from the Faculty of Applied Science to the Faculty of Pure Science for a Ph.D. in Mathematics straight away. He completed his PhD. Mathematics in 2 years including 2 summer vacations.
His choice as the guest lecturer for the first research and development public lecture was acknowledged by the gathering when his curriculum vitae was read. Olunloyo made First Class in Civil Mechanical, PhD in Applied Mathematics, 5-Times Gold Medalist in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mathematics and British Association 1939, prize for advancement of Science University Prize man 1958, University of St Andrews, Scotland.
‘’It is heartwarming to inform you that the record set in 1957/1958 by Engr. (Dr.) Victor Omololu Olunloyo has remained unbroken till date – 62 years after,’’it added.
Among those who listened with rapt attention while Dr. Olunloyo demonstrated his proficiency in Mathematics on the White Board include, YABATECH Rector, Mr. Obafemi Omokungbe, a member of the Governing Council, Mr. Jude Eluma, Registrar, Dr. Sikiru Momodu, Deputy Rector (Academic) and chairman, Research Development Publication Committee, Dr. Kehinde Osifala, Deputy Rector (Admin), Mrs. Titilayo Ukabam, deans of schools, heads of department, directors and students.
The Octogenarian shocked the audience when he revealed that he visited the college 65 years ago (1954) to write Further Mathematics as a High School Certificate (HSC) student at 18 years and was invigilated by the renowned Archdeacon Lucas.
During the lecturer, Dr. Olunloyo also had to use the white board several times to solve Mathematics questions using a simple method which baffled staff and students of YABATECH and for every question he solved, the former governor received standing ovation.
In the 18-page lecture, the former governor while presenting his paper will stop at interval to solve Mathematics questions on the white board, thus drawing the attention of the high table and the audience and in some instances he will expect them to provide answers before proceeding to the next stage.
He described Mathematics as a prestigious subject and also referred to it as the Queen of the Science. The former governor disclosed that Mathematics is closely tied with philosophy and logic.
The Octogenarian regretted that Africa and Nigeria in particular has not been able to produce Noble Prize winners in Sciences and asked ‘’when would the blacks rise to such position in the World? We need the institutions and the brains. We have some but only a critical mass of them would get us there. We need our own Bill and Melinda Gates, a Steve Jobs and Mark Zukerberg of the Facebook fame’’.
In his speech, YABATECH Rector, Mr. Omokungbe said the college as a technology based institution has as its bedrock, the concept of research and development, noting that there can be no technological breakthrough and advancement without research.
According to him, the college, in it drive to entrench the culture of research and advancement established the Applied Research and Technology Innovation Centre (ARTI) to promote and facilitate the performance of industry-oriented research as well as promote research in the college.
Omokungbe commended the research and development committee of the college for taking a step further, particularly at the time of the nation’s down turn and the need for technology based advancement to serve as a panacea to our economic woes.
His words: ‘’Public lectures are necessary platform to ventilate ideas and concepts of relevance to societies or groups. Today’s lecture is a necessary platform for discourse on Mathematics, Science, Technology and Innovation, concepts that have far reaching implications for the development and growth, indeed for human existence.’’
Chairman of the research, development and publication committee, Dr. Osifala said the purpose is to generate and exchange ideas that would be useful and beneficial to the college, the state and the nation at large.
He used the opportunity to invite academics, industrialist, entrepreneurs, business leaders and international experts in various fields to talk on diverse issues on development and that suggestions and ideas generated would be forwarded to the relevant agencies of government for their attention and necessary action.
Osifala informed staff of the availability of research and fabrication grant from TETFUND running into millions which has not been accessed.