Ottawa Community Mourns the Loss of Prof. Pius Adesanmi
CAAS mourns the loss of one of our most valuable supporters and allies, Pius Adesanmi, Director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, home of our association’s secretariat.Pius Adesanmi (died March 10, 2019) was a Nigerian-born Canadian professor, writer and literary critic, satirist, and columnist. He is the author of Naija No Dey Carry Last, a collection of satirical essays. Adesanmi died on 10 March 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after take off.
Pius built bridges between academics and diplomats, between poets and policymakers, and between professors, students and the public at large in the Canadian arena of African affairs. Both a visionary and a pragmatist, Pius accomplished the IAS mission of outreach to the Ottawa community, making the Institute a networking hub and a home for all those with an interest in or connection to Africa and its diaspora.
Those who had the pleasure of collaborating with Pius knew the integrity, the energy, and the enthusiasm that he brought to his compassionate leadership and mentorship. Pius greeted with hugs, not handshakes.
While his death leaves an unfillable absence in the hearts of his family, they surely take great pride in his legacy. Our thoughts are with them now.
Please follow Carleton University updates here for more information on this tragic loss:
https://newsroom.carleton.ca/2019/carleton-community-mourns-the-loss-of-prof-pius-adesanmi/
In sadness,
Meredith Terretta
President of CAAS
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Pius Adésanmí
Born Isanlu, Nigeria
Died 10 March 2019
near Bishoftu, Ethiopia
Nationality Nigerian
Alma mater University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan, University of British Columbia
Occupation Professor, writer, columnist, literary critic, satirist
Pius Adesanmi (died 10 March 2019) was a Nigerian-born Canadian professor, writer, literary critic, satirist, and columnist. He is the author of Naija No Dey Carry Last, a collection of satirical essays. Adesanmi died on 10 March 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after take off.
Contents
1 Biography and career
2 Books
3 Awards
4 References
5 External links
Biography and career
Adesanmi was born in Isanlu, in Yagba East Local Government area of Kogi State, Nigeria.[1] 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.[2] He has also been a Fellow of the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA) from 1993 to 1997, as well as of the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) in 1998 and 2000[3]
For many years, Adesanmi was a regular columnist for Premium Times and Sahara Reporters. His writings were often satiric, focusing on the absurd in the Nigerian social and political system. His targets often included politicians, pastors, and other relevant public figures. In September 2015, his scathing column on the decision of the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, to take an underage wife generated substantial conversation on the matter,[4] and even got the response of the Emir who responded to Adesanmi by name.[5]
In 2015, he gave a TED talk titled “Africa is the forward that the world needs to face”.[6]
Adesanmi died on 10 March 2019, when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after take off.[7][8]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pius_Adesanmi
PS:
ICICEMAC is deeply saddened by this news. May his soul rest with his Maker. My deepest condolences to the family.
Icicemac