Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan took to the streets in large numbers on Tuesday to protest the recent decision by Governor Seyi Makinde to rename the institution after late former governor, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
The protest, which disrupted activities in the area, left hundreds of commuters stranded along the busy Sango-Eleyele Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The students, chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards, expressed strong opposition to the renaming, describing it as sudden and lacking proper consultation with key stakeholders.
Governor Makinde had just a few days earlier announced that the institution would now be called Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of the former governor who served briefly in the Second Republic.
Olunloyo was the first Ibadan person to serve as the Governor of old Oyo State.
He served between October and December 1983.
The students in the early hours of Tuesday blocked the entrance gates of the institution.
They also blocked the ever busy Sango -Eleyele Road.
This made many commuters, residents and travellers plying the road to be stranded.
Some staff are also stranded as the majority of them were unable to gain access to the institution.
The Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYTMA) in a statement by the Executive Chairman, Maj. Adekoya Rtd. enjoined commuters to use alternative routes for their movements pending temporary blockage of the roads.
He wrote: “The general public are hereby informed of an ongoing student protest at The Polytechnic Ibadan, main Gate, the road in front of the school gate has been temporarily blocked.
“Motorists heading towards Eleyele, Apete, Ijokodo, and nearby areas axis from Sango and vice visa are advised to take alternative routes through Dugbe, Mokola or Ajibode to avoid delays and unnecessary confrontation.
“We appeal to all road users to remain calm, cooperate with traffic officers, and follow all traffic diversion signs.
“Thank you for your understanding.“
