Nigeria mourns as foremost Prof Adesanmi who cheated death months ago, dies in Ethiopian Air crash

Among the 157 victims of the Kenya-bound Ethiopian Airlines that crashed were two Nigerians; a retired ambassador, Abiodun Bashua and Nigerian-born Canadian scholar, Professor Pius Adesanmi.

The Ethiopian Airline, ET 302, enroute Nairobi from Ethiopia, crashed after few minutes of take-off, killing all onboard in the early hours of Sunday, March 10, 2019.

Pius, a writer and literary critic, satirist, columnist and Professor at Carleton University, Canada, has received several tributes from different quarters since the news of his death broke.

The Carleton University, where Mr Adesanmi taught, also confirmed his death.

“The Carleton community is shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Prof. Pius Adesanmi, who was among the 18 Canadians killed in today’s crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet at the Addis Ababa airport,” the university said in a statement.

READ ALSO: Kenya-bound Ethiopian Airlines crashes, 157 feared dead

“Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that Adesanmi is among the victims.

“Pius was a towering figure in African and post-colonial scholarship and his sudden loss is a tragedy,” said Benoit-Antoine Bacon, president and vice-chancellor. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who knew and loved him, and with everyone who suffered loss in the tragic crash in Ethiopia.

“The contributions of Pius Adesanmi to Carleton are immeasurable,” said Pauline Rankin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. “He worked tirelessly to build the Institute of African Studies, to share his boundless passion for African literature and to connect with and support students. He was a scholar and teacher of the highest calibre who leaves a deep imprint on Carleton.

Pius Adesanmi, had in 2018 survived a ghastly motor accident while travelling in Oyo State. Speaking on the accident, he had said, “It was a miracle I survived, I nearly bled to death. No help for over four hours.”

Tribute messages are pouring in in their numbers on social media, as Nigerians have both been morning and sending their condolences to the families of Prof Adesanmi, Amb Bashua and other victims of the ill-fated airline.

In what turned out to be his last post on Facebook, Prof Adesanmi, on March 9 at 12.56, posted a picture of himself in characteristic smile, holding his Canadian passport and wrote: “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me – Psalm 139:9-10”

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