Nigerian professor Pius Adesanmi was among the 157 who perished in the ill-fated Ethiopian airline ET 302.

He was a professor at Carleton University and a Canadian citizen. 18 Canadians perished in the crash.

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Prof. Pius, who was very active on social media, shared a deep message on March 9, on his Facebook before boarding the flight.

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- - Psalms 139:9-10.

Many are speculating that it was a premonition, but only God knows.

One of Adesanmi's best friend said he was devastated. His emotional message read:

Pius has been my friend since he was in my dissertation committee those many years ago at Penn State. Yes, he supervised me, but we became such great friends. I've never had an academic friend like Pius. I'm so devastated. So devastated.

Fans and friends of Professor have paid tributes to him, and below are some of their messages:

Nono Nkele: Dr. Pius Adesanmi was a Nigerian-born Canadian professor, writer and literary critic, satirist, and columnist. He was the author of Naija No Dey Carry Last, a collection of satirical essays....unfortunately, He passed on this morning on #EthiopianAirlines flight #302🙏🏿🙏🏿 RIP

Adeola Fayehun: Thank you for inspiring us all Prof. Pius Adesanmi #ethiopianairlinescrash

John Stewart such a sad loss. but he was in the business of trying to move the world forward.. which is risky. Fare forward voyagers.

Wandia Njoya: Noooooooooo!!! I can't believe this, I can't. Pius...Pius, noooooo!

I didn't know he was on that bloody Boeing aircraft I was talking about. This isn't right. It's not right.

She added:

Pius had a heart for Africa. A huge huge heart for the continent. He did everything in his power to boost African studies by Africans. We just talked two weeks ago, because this May, he and I were going to teach our second social media in Africa class here in Nairobi. I still can hear his laughter so loud, because every time he called me, he was making fun of me for something or the other.

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Angel K Ann Only God knows. May you soul rest in peace and may God comfort your family.

Adesanya Olabisi Rest in peace prof

Adeniran Adebisi Dave Sighsss...what a painful exit, shocking and bad news. Kai!!!

Tolulope Oduwole Goodnight prof. You lived well. May the good Lord under whose arm you trust, grant you eternal rest

Precious Chioma Rip prof...U lived well....U shouldn't have left us now

Mustapha Yusuf So sad! May God give his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable lost.

Albert Akpehe May his soul rest in peace with the Lord!

LeBari N. Akpea May your gentle soul rest in peace, Amen

Kingwa Kamencu: My heart is broken 💔 Pius Adesanmi died in the Ethiopian plane crash. He was not just an intellectual giant, he was an intellectual warrior. Ride on in your flaming chariot Pius, you've gone on ahead of us to light our skies.

Amondi Nashipai I'm equally stone cold about death, but feel the same about Anthony Ngare. My co condolences.

John Stewart such a sad loss. but he was in the business of trying to move the world forward.. which is risky. Fare forward voyagers.

Evelyne Mushira A great Scholar indeed. I had the opportunity to listen to one of his presentations. Academia has lost a giant. May He Rip

Below are photos of the late professor: