Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, expressed condolences to the families of actor Junior Pope Odonwodo and four others who tragically lost their lives in a boat accident on the River Niger. The incident occurred as they were returning from filming a movie titled The Other Side of Life, produced by actress Adanma Luke.
Soludo also extended sympathies to the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the entire film industry for the unfortunate event.
In a statement released by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, the governor mourned the loss of ‘talented and promising young Nigerians’ in pursuit of their career aspirations.
Highlighting the importance of safety measures in water transportation in Nigeria, Soludo emphasized the need for life jackets, lifeguards, and immediate first aid like CPR for victims.
He urged members of Nollywood to prioritize safety precautions to prevent tragedies during water-related work, pledging support for the growth of the entertainment industry.
Soludo stated, “The development of the entertainment sector contributes to society’s overall progress. Hence, the Anambra State Government is enhancing recreational facilities in Awka, transforming the Agulu Lake into a tourist attraction, and modernizing water transport to boost tourism and economic activities.
“May the souls of the boat accident victims rest in peace, and may their loved ones find comfort in their cherished memories.”
Meanwhile, Adanma Luke, the producer of the ill-fated movie, broke her silence following the accident by sharing details on her Instagram page. She revealed that Junior Pope was offered a life jacket, which he declined due to it being dirty.
Luke disclosed that she was supposed to be on the capsized boat as well.
Narrating the events, Luke expressed disbelief and shared her efforts to recover the bodies from the river and arrange for their final rest.
She recounted, “On that day, while preparing to deliver a memory card to the crew on set, my brother’s children accompanied me. We were all meant to be on that boat together. I was supposed to be there.
“My production manager insisted I bring the memory card, even though I offered to have it collected. Upon arrival, the news of the tragedy unfolded before me, leaving me in shock.”
Tearfully, Luke expressed deep sorrow for the individuals she considered family, who had traveled from afar to work with her.
She added, “This tragedy occurred on my set, and it weighs heavily on me. I hold myself responsible, thinking I should have stayed in Lagos. If I was there, this might not have happened.
“It’s still unreal to me. Those crew members were my support system, always standing by me even when working from Lagos.”
In other developments, the Anambra Police Command confirmed the arrest of the boat operators involved in the accident.
Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga revealed that the producers and other crew members would also be questioned as part of the investigation, emphasizing transparency in handling the case.