As a child, a handshake with an Oyibo (British) man was a big deal, and this was courtesy of our close neighbour; Prof Pius Adesanmi. His British friends will often join him home for holiday while he was a student. As such, I started dreaming of attaining greatness like him a long while ago.
With the advent of Facebook, his Facebook page became another Bible I frequently study. If Pius sneezes, is filled with wisdom. For me, going from one column to another in order to read Prof Pius Adesanmi’s post is like the use of correcting glasses for people with eye defects. His views are always objective, highly cerebral and simplistic enough for a dummy to catch, yet in a satiric manner.
There is no doubt about his love for his origin Isanlu: like Jesus Christ of Nazareth, like Pius Adesanmi of Isanlu Kogi State. His name heralded the name of his community. It is prestigious hailing from the same community with Prof. Adesanmi.
News of his involvement in the Ethiopian airline crash on Sunday, came with a rude shock to me, and I reiterated the statement “so Prof is truly gone”? Then a voice from my inner man said, Prof Pius Adesanmi didn’t crash, it was his body that crashed. Of course Prof couldn’t have crash. Prof. Pius, to the upcoming generation like me, is the shinny star that gave direction to us.
To the corrupt African leaders, he was the “koboko” (rod of correction) checkmating their errors. To the erudite community, he was in a class of his own, giving meaning to African studies. To his friends and associate like my beloved bros, Eyitayo Akanbi, he was the Iroko in their forest. To Mama Adesanmi (mummy principal), he was Bola the beloved. How can all this crash? Tell me how can! Igi nla wo ninu gbo (a big tree has fallen in the forest), Erin subu lule (elephant has fallen). Eiye o le ke bi eiye mo (birds no longer sound like birds). Omo akin lo (the son of the great one is gone). Gbaju gbaja ojogbon lo (renown professor is gone). Odi gbere, o di arin na ko (till we meet in eternity). Sun re ooo, Ojogbon Pius Adesanmi.
My prayers goes to the late Prof. Pius’ Mum, his wife, his children and his siblings. May the Lord comfort them and strengthen them through this period.
To the Adesanmi’s of Egha Itedo-Ijowa Isanlu and the Ake’s of Makutu Isanlu, may the Lord put an end to evil in your household. For Isanlu adegbe derin, the Yagba people and Okun nation as a whole, may the Lord almighty preserve our youth and strengthen the aged in Jesus name. Amen.
– Odofin David Khulong Adi is saying good night Prof.
