The death of a prominent Nigerian Professor, Pius Adesanmi, who died in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash of Sunday, has continued to elicit grief in many Nigerians.
Recall that the columnist was among the 157 passengers and crew members killed in the crash on Sunday morning, which occurred shortly after the plane left Addis Ababa for Nairobi in Kenya.
The Nigerian-born Canadian, who before his death worked at the Institute of African Studies in Carleton University of Canada, was a columnist at with several Nigerian media outfits.
His former colleagues have however taken time out to celebrate the literary icon.
Read some of the tributes below:
HOW DO I MOURN THIS ICONIC PIUS?
This death is a terrible loss. We were in the same class in the University of Ilorin. Pius Adesanmi was a student of French language while I studied English. We both belonged to the Department of Modern European Languages where we attended classes together in grammar and literature.
Most colleagues would refer to Pius as an “effico” for his brilliance was incontestable. His young age of 16 when he entered the university always reflected in his lanky frame. He was a great personality that would join ‘aluta’, (which was our own “vocation” anyway), whenever he felt convinced of the cause for which we often declared battles against the authorities or the government.
While he graduated with an outstanding first class award in 1992, some of us were paying supreme academic sacrifice for championing the cause we adopted. It was a long separation until sometimes in 2012 or thereabout when Facebook connected us again. Realising his expertise had placed him in higher ranks of service to humanity as a professor in Canada and a universal resource person to several international organisations, I looked forward to the day I would require his service when my ambition to better the lots of my people would have materialised in an elective office. I never knew it was an expectation never to be filfilled; a hope never to be realised. We would never see in flesh again.
Pius is, (as we review in present tense in literature), a fascinating and “hostage-taking” writer whose style and constructions have always questioned my failing capacity to be like him. His raging love for Nigeria found expressions in his criticism of the system that has pauperised the people for a rudderless leadership to live in satanic splendour. He waged a battle for the masses through his much treasured skill of language and creativity. His Facebook page is a summary of his followership which cuts across continents, races, religion and creed. He will be difficult to forget as great writers never die. Adieu, my great friend.
Kunle Rasheed Adegoke
(K Rad), Renowned Constitutional Lawyer & erstwhile Osun APC Guber Aspirant)
A Dirge for Pius
If I go when it is my time to leave, would I have done enough to write my name on the sands of time?
If I go when it is my time to leave, would I have done enough to secure my place in the bliss of the hereafter?
If I exit when it is my time to leave, would I have completed the towers of earthly development I am sent to build?
For every soul has its own calling. I know mine. I am not sure of yours.
But whatever it is your calling is, do urgently and diligently.
For no one knows the tick of the minute.
Every soul shall taste death!
It is the highest calling we all must bid.
It was your time to go home, Pius.
The death you escaped on land, you met in the air!
Rest now, Prof.
Rasheed Ademola ADEBIYI writes from Mass Communication Dept, Fountain University, Osogbo
