Yesterday, the world was thrown into a frenzy with the news of an ill-fated plane crash from Addis Ababa en route Nairobi. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 Max with registration number, ET-AVJ took off at 8:38 am Local time from Addis Ababa and lost contact at 8:44 am; approximately 6 minutes after take-off.
The disaster spared no lives as all the passengers and crew members aboard the airline have been confirmed dead.
Among the 157 victims aboard the airline, two have been confirmed to be Nigerian.
The popular Nigerian Professor and Writer, Pius Adesanmi. Adesanmi is a Professor of English at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. He was also the director of the Institute of African Studies at the University.
Adesanmi travelled using his Canadian passport. He is also a very popular social commentator.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsMy very dear friend PROFESSOR PIUS ADESANMI was in the crashed Ethiopian Airlines plane… My God, why Pius, that prodigiously brilliant gentleman!!! Rest in Peace, a great son of Africa… pic.twitter.com/kyB2Cs8CRD
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) March 10, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe world has lost a fine intellectual, one of a rare breed of thinkers and good governance advocate. It’s confirmed, people, we lost Professor Pius Adesanmi in that Ethiopian Airlines crash. 💔 pic.twitter.com/J68sgftB1b
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) March 10, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsA really really tragic day. Rest In Peace Prof @pius_adesanmi . I was hoping against everything that this wouldn’t be true. This is a bad day. A bad day for Nigeria. A really bad one for Africa. We have lost an irreplaceable gem. Thank you for sharing yourself with us Prof. pic.twitter.com/wNA8lbFlNE
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) March 10, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsFolks: I just confirmed that one of our best, Pius Adesanmi died in that Ethiopian airliner that crashed. It is a sad day!
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) March 10, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe Carleton community is mourning the loss of Pius Adesanmi, director of the Institute of African Studies, who was among the 18 Canadians killed in today’s Ethiopian Airlines disaster. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. https://t.co/IxCwkfQWRG
— Carleton University News (@CUnewsroom) March 10, 2019
Ambassador Abiodun Bashua, a former Joint Special Representative for the African Union, United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, Sudan.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsI mourn the passing of Ambassador Abiodun Bashua and Professor Pius Adesanmi in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash which occurred yesterday. Distinguished Nigerians who did the nation proud in their professional endeavors.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 11, 2019
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWhat a sad day…
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) March 10, 2019
“I’ve just been informed now that we lost one of our own. A high profile Nigerian, Amb. Abiodun Bashua in that crash… He was the former UN and AU Deputy Joint Special Representative in Darfur, Sudan. A complete gentleman. May God rest his soul….” pic.twitter.com/ogXk3l1SRN
They both were headed to Nairobi for the CIDO/ECOSOCC meeting.
Below are the nationalities of other victims.
Our heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims. May their souls rest in peace.