Popular political columnist, Prof. Pius Adesanmi, was among the 157 persons that died in the Ethiopian Airline crash.
Adesanmi, who holds a Nigerian and Canadian passport, posted a photo from Addis Ababa Airport, Ethiopia, hours before the plane took off.
Adesanmi posted a message on Facebook which read, “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me – Psalm 139:9-10.”
The plane, which was bound for Nairobi, Kenya, went down in the early hours of Sunday.
One Nigerian was listed among the dead as well as 18 Canadians, 32 Kenyans, nine Ethiopians, eight Chinese, eight Italians, eight Americans, seven French, seven Britons, six Egyptians, five Germans, four Indians, four Slovaks, three Australians and others.
Aside from Ethiopians, there were nationals of Canada, China, Kenya and others aboard the airliner.
Popular social media influencer, Kayode Ogundamisi, also expressed fears of Adesanmi’s demise.
He wrote, “I know you had issues boarding from Canada. May God give us that one slim chance that you missed the flight and you are still on your way and will soon call.”
Adesanmi, who was a Director at the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, Canada, was a professor of English.