Categories: News

Nigerian Don, Pius Adesanmi, Dies in Ethiopian Plane Crash …Buhari Expresses Shock

Segun Atanda/

Nigerian-born Canadian professor, writer and literary critic, Professor Pius Adesanmi has been identified as one of the 157 victims who perished today in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash today.

Adesanmi recently cheated death when his car was involved in a serious accident along Oyo-Ogbomosho Road.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock over the crash of the Ethiopian Airliner bound for Nairobi, Kenya, in which all the 149 passengers and eight crew members died.

The President also extended his sincere condolences to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, the people of Ethiopia, Kenya, Canada, China and all other nations who lost citizens in the air disaster.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said in Abuja that the President commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed God Almighty to grant the gentle souls of the departed eternal rest.

Buhari, who reacted to the accident in Daura, Katsina State on Sunday, said: “such large scale loss of human lives in a single incident is shocking beyond words.

“I am profoundly touched by this devastating report of air accident involving one of the world’s most successful and efficient Airlines.

“Given its remarkable safety record, this couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ethiopian Airlines.

“Like every other African leader, I am proud of the fact that Ethiopian Airlines represents one of Africa’s success stories.”

The President expressed the hope that the tragic accident would not have negative effect on Ethiopian Airlines’ passion for excellence.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 149 passengers and eight crew members, took off at 08:38am (05:38 GMT) and lost contact with air traffic controllers six minutes later.

It crashed near Bishoftu, southeast of the Ethiopian capital, Ethiopian Airlines said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash of the plane, which was new and had been delivered to the airline in November.

The pilot, who had been working for the carrier since 2010, sent out a distress call shortly after take-off and was given clearance to return.

Tewolde Gebremariam, the airline’s CEO, visited the scene of the crash and confirmed no one had survived.

0
Dipo

Dipo Kehinde is an accomplished Nigerian journalist, artist, and designer with over 34 years experience. More info on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dipo-kehinde-8aa98926

Recent Posts

Are The Grammys Relevant Outside the United States?

Building Credibility For nearly eight decades, the Grammy Awards have stood as the pinnacle of…

16 hours ago

Disputed 5.3bn Shares: Court Adjourns Barbican/FBN Holdings Suit as Ecobank’s Recusal Motion Remains Pending

Justice Ayokunle Faji has adjourned further proceedings in the suit filed by Barbican Capital Limited…

2 days ago

Los Angeles Protects Undocumented Immigrants from Trump’s Deportation Plans with Sanctuary Ordinance

Segun Atanda/ The Los Angeles City Council has approved a sweeping "sanctuary city" ordinance designed…

2 days ago

Trump Could Face Prison After Second Term, Prosecutors Say

Segun Atanda/ New York prosecutors have opposed dismissing President-elect Donald Trump’s conviction for falsifying business…

2 days ago

MC Oluomo Flouts Court Order, Assumes Office as NURTW President

Femi Ashekun/ In a bold and controversial move, Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya, has defied a…

2 days ago

Tinubu Sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC, Registrar … Dissolves Council

Matilda Omonaiye/ President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University,…

3 days ago