The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa has expressed deep shock at the death of Nollywood actor Pope Obumneme Odonwodo who drowned in River Anam in Anambra state on Wednesday, April 10 after shooting a movie at a location.
Junior Pope’s death was announced barely 48 hours after the death of Kannywood actress Saratu Gidado.
Musawa described the recent spate of deaths in the entertainment industry as horrific and tragic.
“It’s a sad week for us in the creative and movie industry and a black Wednesday. Losing two lives in three days is not only horrifying but colossal. We have lost great young talents and entertainment providers while generating content for Nigerian movie lovers.
“We mourn and commiserate with their families. We stand by them at this tragic time and our thoughts are with all those who know them.”
In the same vein, Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede expressed sadness saying, “I had imagined we would have a thanksgiving service, I was hoping we would flood Asaba to thank God for a second chance but God knows best. This is bad for Nollywood. Please we should endeavour to implement safety measures on set. I know some production companies do their best to have nurses and health professionals on set. But some with small budgets should please consider this and everyone on set, not just actors. “The boat itself isn’t good enough to go the distance. Please while we keep Jnr Pope and family in our prayers, let’s also remember others who died too.”
Another actress Rita Edochie noted how hard it was for her to cope with Pope’s death.
“At last, after he fought to stay alive, he is gone. Just when I felt a renewed hope running down my spine. The will of God can never be countered. Still very hard to type R.I.P , so I am not saying anything to you because it’s really a dream. “It is well, God Almighty, we cannot question you, chai what a black Wednesday evening.”
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas confirmed Pope’s death on his instagram page on Thursday.
“It is so sad that our joy was short-lived. My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail. God knows the best. We finally lost him, Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found,” Rollas wrote.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria also declared April 11 as a “No Shoot Day” to honour the late Junior Pope.
In a recent statement, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding have been suspended indefinitely.
“No Shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, 11th April 2024 and the film titled “The other side of Life” is suspended indefinitely. Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, the statement read.
In a recent development, The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) provided more detailed information regarding the number of individuals involved, casualties, and survivors in the boat accident.
NIWA Area Manager Suleiman Nicholas noted that contrary to the claim that the incident happen in Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, of the state, the incident actually happened at the Akpaka Area a suburb of Onitsha and Nsugbe Anambra East Local Government Area, when the victims were coming back from Anam, where they went to shoot a movie.
Nicholas further disclosed that there were twelve in the ill fated boat, and seven of the victims were rescued a life, two were recovered dead, while three are still missing and out of the three missing, two are female, while one is male.
