Residents of the Federal Capital Territory paid last respect to Pius Adesanmi, Nigerian-born Canadian professor, on Wednesday. Adesanmi was among the passengers on the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on its way to Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday.
All the 157 persons on board died in the accident. At the Unity Fountain, different people, mostly clad in black and teary-eyed, recounted how the professor touched their lives in numerous ways.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki was present at the sad event and he made the people understand that late Adesanmi was not his enemy despite criticising him on several occasions. Saraki described Adesanmi as an ambassador of Nigeria who“did not die in vain.”
Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians, said Adesanmi was a patriot who ought to be celebrated. “There is no greater patriot than a person who speaks the truth, we must celebrate Pius Adesanmi. I’m touched by this death and I pray that his memory be blessed,”.
Senator Dino Melaye who is representing Kogi west, said the professor was one of the few people who spoke the truth “fearlessly.” Melaye declared saying that if truly Nigerians wish to honour Adesanmi, we all need to stand for the “truth”.