Saraki, Others Mourn, Hold Candle Light For Late Adesanmi

Saraki has joined several others including residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to pay the last respect to Pius Adesanmi, Nigerian-born Canadian professor, on Wednesday.

Naija News reports that Nigerians came out in their large numbers to pay their last respect to Adesanmi who died along-side all the 157 persons onboard an Ethiopian airline’s Boeing 737 Max 8 that crashed on Sunday, March 10.

At the Unity Fountain, different people, mostly dressed in black and teary-eyed, recounted how the professor had touched their lives in numerous ways.

Speaking at the event, Senate President Bukola Saraki said Adesanmi was not his enemy despite criticising him.

While describing Adesanmi as an ambassador of Nigeria, Saraki said the professor “did not die in vain,” adding that Adesanmi was not his enemy despite his criticisms against him.

“As I was leaving my house somebody said, ‘Sir, do you know that he was very critical of you?’ I said we are not enemies, we share different views and we must appreciate his talent. He had his views, he had his thought about some of us.” 

“We can learn from some of those things and that is why I came here to join you and appreciate those that are good ambassadors of this country. His wife and his daughter, let them know that their father and husband did not die in vain. I’m here to give him that respect.”

The senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye who also paid his last respect, said the professor was one who spoke the truth.

In his words, Melaye said; “He was a great Nigerian, one who spoke the truth fearlessly. He is gone but his works are here and the only way to appreciate this transparent ordinary Nigerian is to make sure that the truth is stood for,” the senator said.

“The truth he wrote about we will defend it. In an unjust society, silence becomes a crime.”

Among other Nigerians who attended the candle night of the late professor, Frederick Nwabufo, media personality, said Adesanmi would live forever.

Similarly, Aisha Yesufu, an activist, spoke on how they used to exchanged banters on social media.

After the speeches, a procession was held within the vicinity of the fountain.