Tag: Junior Pope

…Bureau releases four Air, Marine accident reports

 A preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed how Johnpaul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, and four other Nollywood personalities died last month.

Junior Pope died alongside four others on April 10 when their boat capsized in Anam River in Anambra state en route to Asaba Jetty.

 The NSIB which commenced investigation a few days after the accident has revealed the preliminary report on the accident.

The Bureau revealed the circumstances that led to the accident and the death of some of the occupants of the boat.

The Director General of NSIB, Capt Alex Badeh Jnr. on Friday, May 24, in Abuja while releasing reports of four air and marine accidents that occurred between 2021 and 2024, said the report would prevent future occurrences of similar accidents.

The reports released include; two Aviation incident final reports, one aviation incident preliminary report and one marine accident preliminary report.

Badeh while stating that it was not the purpose of the investigations to apportion blame or liability, said the four reports released contain 20 safety recommendations which are addressed to relevant entities within the transportation system to prevent future recurrence of such accidents or serious incidents when fully implemented.

On how the boat accident which led to the death of Junior Pope and others occurred, the Director of Transport Investigation of the Bureau, Abdullahi Babanya stated: “On 10th April 2024 an outboard engine fibre boat conveying 12 Nollywood movie production crew and one boat driver departed Onono Jetty in Anambra West Local Government Area with destination, Asaba Jetty.

“The outboard engine fibre boat on high speed crashed into a crossing local fishing canoe. The speed boat capsized and all occupants were flung into the Anam River.

Read Also: Tears as Junior Pope is laid to rest in Enugu

“Five passengers were fatally injured and 7 were rescued alive.

“The Nigerian Safety InvestigatioNSIB) was not officially notified but got to know about the accident through social media. Investigators from the Enugu Regional office of NSIB were dispatched to the accident site on 12 April 2024.”

On its findings, Babanya said: “The boat driver was not certified, the fibre boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the outboard engine fibre boat was carrying 12 passengers and one boat driver and there was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe. 

“This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver and he was not looking out as required. 

“The boat was on high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed. The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped.”

He continued: “The boat collided with the canoe at a high speed which resulted in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard were flung into Anam River. 

“Five passengers on the boat were fatally injured while the remaining seven passengers and the driver survived the crash. 

“Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator. 

“The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. 

“The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat and rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”

The Bureau recommended that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), should ensure that all boats involved in commercial activities (goods and passengers) within the national inland waterways are registered and ensure adequate safety measures are implemented and enforced in all the inland waterways.

It further stated that there was need for increased sensitization and enlightenment of boat operators on safe operations and security along the Anam River and other inland waterways. 

It added that they should provide training to local fishermen and boat association members as rescue divers to provide prompt rescue in the event of an occurrence in the inland waterways.

Other reports released by the bureau are: “Preliminary Report On Serious Incident involving an MD-82 Aircraft Operated by Dana Airlines Limited Registered 5N-BKI, Which Occurred on Runway 18l Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on 23 April 2024.

“Final report on a serious incident involving Embraer EMB-145LR registered 5N-BVD operated by Air Peace Limited which occurred at Kaduna Airport, Kaduna on 14 January 2021.

“Final report On the incident involving a ground collision between a Lavatory Service Truck with fleet number 9/5 operated by Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) and a parked Boeing 737-300 aircraft registered 5N-DAB operated by Max Air Limited which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on 21 November 2021.”

Tears flowed freely yesterday at Uwala Abaka village, Ukehe town in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State where the remains of actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, was laid to rest.

The burial rites commenced with a lying-in-state in the morning at his father’s compound where family members, well-wishers, colleagues and friends had the final glimpse of the late actor before the body was taken to St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe for a commendation mass.

Thereafter, the corpse was moved to a private venue for internment at about 1:30 pm.

The atmosphere at the burial ceremony was sombre as colleagues and fans gathered to pay their last respects to the late actor.

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The late actor’s wife, Jennifer Awele, could not hold back tears as she was sighted weeping profusely at the commencement of the final funeral procession.

The late actor, who tragically lost his life in a boat accident, was honored with a touching funeral service that paid tribute to his life, work, and the joy he brought to so many through his performances.

As mourners gathered at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, memories of Junior Pope’s warmth, talent, and dedication were shared, and his contributions to the world of Nigerian cinema were celebrated.

The 43-year-old actor died alongside four other people on April 10 after their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie shoot.

Speaking at the burial ceremony, veteran actress Rita Edochie said she was heartbroken when she heard the sad news of Junior Pope’s death.

Former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who also hails from the town, was among the top dignitaries that graced the funeral.

Tears flowed freely on Friday, May 17, in Uwala Abaka village, Ukehe town, Igbo-Etiti local government area of Enugu State, as the remains of actor John Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, were laid to rest.

The burial rites began with a lying-in-state in the morning at his father’s compound, where family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers had a final glimpse of the late actor.

The body was then taken to St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ukehe, for a commendation mass.

Around 1:30 pm, the corpse was moved to a private venue for interment.

The atmosphere at the ceremony was sombre, as colleagues and fans gathered to pay their final respects to the late actor.

Read Also: Junior Pope burial: Family urges public to rely on information by Planning Committee

The late actor’s wife, Jennifer Awele, could not back tears as she was sighted weeping profusely at the commencement of the final funeral procession.

The late actor, who tragically lost his life in a boat accident, was honoured with a touching funeral service that paid tribute to his life, work, and the joy he brought to so many through his performances.

As mourners gathered at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, memories of Junior Pope’s warmth, talent, and dedication were shared, and his contributions to the world of Nigerian cinema were celebrated.

The 43-year-old actor died alongside four other people on April 10, after their boat capsized in the Anam River, in Anambra state, while returning from a movie shoot.

Speaking at the burial ceremony, veteran actress Rita Edochie said that she was heartbroken when she heard the sad news of Junior Pope’s death.

Former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who hails from the town was among the top dignitaries that graced the funeral ceremony.