The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has implemented a ban on the filming of movies in riverine areas and has also suspended filmmaker Adanma Luke in the wake of actor Junior Pope Odonwodo’s death.
Junior Pope was among those who tragically drowned while returning from a film shoot for “Another Side of Life,” which was being produced by Adanma. The incident occurred when their boat capsized around Cable Point at the riverside of the River Niger in Asaba, Delta State.
Although there were initial reports suggesting that Junior Pope was resuscitated, the AGN clarified that the actor had passed away, leading to the decision to suspend filming activities involving riverine areas and boat journeys.
“Following the tragic incident of boat mishap that claimed the life of Mr John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope and four other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10 April 2024 on a movie set titled ‘The other side of Life’ produced by Adanma Luke,” the AGN president Emeka Rollas said in a statement on Thursday.
“The leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions: (1) All films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are at this moment suspended indefinitely, (2) no shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024.
“(3)The film titled ‘Another Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely (4) No actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice. (5) While we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace.”
The decision follows a statement by the AGN president, who initially announced that the actor was alive, only to later retract the statement and confirm Junior Pope’s passing. Shortly after initially confirming the death, the president deleted the post from his Instagram handle and subsequently issued a new statement reaffirming the actor’s demise.
“It’s so so sad that our joy was shortlived. 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,” he said.
“We finally lost him. Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found.”
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