Falana, Obe, others eulogise Adesanmi | Nairalaw

Human rights lawyers, Mr Femi Falana, (SAN), Ayo Obe, poet and
teacher, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo and pan-Africanist, Affiong L Affiong on
Saturday eulogised the late Prof. Pius Adesanmi, Punch report.

They spoke on Saturday at the Lagos edition of the Pius Adesanmi
candlelight gathering.

Adesanmi, a professor of literature and African studies and
Director at the Institute of African Studies at Carleton
University, Canada, was among the 157 people who died on the
Ethiopian Airlines flight Boeing 737 Max (from Addis Abba to
Nairobi) on Sunday, March 10, 2019.

Falana described Adesanmi as a man who lived a fulfilled life
even though his time on earth was short. He said, “At 47, he had
led a fulfilled life. He grounded into his 47 years of existence
what anyone could have done in 80 or 100 years. He was a Nigerian
and committed his entire life to the struggle for the formation of
Nigeria and Africa.”

The lawyer said the deceased was a patriotic citizen who chose
to be part of the struggle even though he didn’t fully reside in
Nigeria.

Also, Affiong said the deceased was a public intellectual who
used his ideas and thoughts as a weapon to educate the public.

She said, “Although I do not have a personal interaction with
him, I knew him as an activist. I will miss the fact that he
occupied the public space and spoke truth to power.’’

On her part, Obe said the deceased was a patriot who loved
Nigeria. She said, “He was a patriot. There was no malice in his
criticisms. It was all designed to spur people to be better. I met
him when he was supposed to deliver a lecture which he wasn’t
allowed to deliver and I was to replace him for that lecture.

“We met in the evening of the day of the lecture at a hotel
lobby in Abuja and we got talking and reflected on some of the
issues in the nation.’’

Also speaking, Ifowodo said Adesanmi was a friend he knew since
his master’s days at the University of Ibadan and they remained
friends for three decades. He said, “He was dedicated,
compassionate, patriotic, indefatigable, humorous. He always had a
laugh, he enjoyed life to the fullest and read widely.’’