Ottawa professor's death in Ethiopian Airlines crash 'crippling loss' to university Social Sharing

An Ottawa professor was among 18 Canadians who died after an Ethiopian Airlines jet, bound for Nairobi, crashed Sunday morning, killing all 157 passengers and eight crew members on board. 

Pius Adesanmi, the director of Carleton University's Institute of African Studies and a professor at the school, was on the plane when it crashed shortly after takeoff near the town of Bishoftu, 62 kilometres southeast of the capital Addis Ababa.

• Ethiopian Airlines flight crashes, all 157 on board killed, including 18 Canadians

Carleton University said in a statement that Global Affairs Canada confirmed the Nigerian-born academic was among the victims travelling on the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

"He worked tirelessly to build the Institute of African Studies, to share his boundless passion for African literature and to connect with and support students," said Pauline Rankin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Carleton University.

"He was a scholar and teacher of the highest calibre who leaves a deep imprint on Carleton."

Benoit-Antoine Bacon, president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University, said the university is in shock. 

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