13/03/2019
How I wish we would not have to die physically before we continue to live eternally.
How I wish we would not pass through this terrible and horrible experiences because a loved one is departing to live evermore.
These are some of the lines that were running on my mind when I heard the news about the departure of a man that my encounter with him changed my thinking and how I see things around me especially my country and Africa as a whole.
This picture was his last post on Facebook before he crossed over to the other side. This picture was posted with this caption...
"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."
I've read and study this scripture with different translations and it occurred to me as if Prof knew he was going to die that faithful Sunday.
I used to be this I don't care person especially when it comes to community service and Nigeria as whole. But his teaching on October 1st 2015 at Covenant Christian Center, National Art Theatre, Iganmu during the annual conference known as The Platform. I'll never forget this statement "We need to stop making legitimate excuses to justify a culture of irresponsibility"... This quote ranged in my head for weeks. Prof Adesanmi gave me this confidence that if you can think it you can achieve it. A man that came from a local government in Kogi and had his first degree in University of Ilorin and rose to a level of a professor of English and African studies in a university in Canada. What a niche he created for himself!
Prof. Pius Adesanmi, was among the victims of the ill-fated Ethiopia Airlines Flight ET302 that crashed on its way to Nairobi from Addis Ababa on Sunday morning, killing 157 persons on board.
Prof. Adesanmi was a writer and literary critic, satirist and columnist. He was the author of Naija No Dey Carry Last, a collection of satirical essays. Adesanmi was born in Isanlu, in Yagba East Local Government area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He had a BA (first class honours) from the University of Ilorin in 1992, a Masters in French from the University of Ibadan in 1998, and a PhD in French Studies from the University of British Columbia in 2002.
From 2002 to 2005, he was Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature at the Pennsylvania State University, USA. In 2006, he joined Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada as a Professor of literature and African studies. Though his life was cut short but his legacies will continue to live on... Continue to Rest in peace Prof.
Atunbi Olanrewaju,
Impressive Studios.