AGN Imposes Sweeping Measures After Tragic Boat Accident Claims Lives of Jnr Pope and Crew

In the wake of the tragic boat mishap that claimed the life of Nollywood actor John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Jnr Pope, and four other crew members on a movie set in Asaba, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has announced a series of sweeping measures to prevent similar incidents.

In a circular released by AGN President, Emeka Rollas, the guild has taken the following decisive actions:

• Indefinite suspension of all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding.
• A nationwide production shutdown will be on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
• Suspension of the film “Another Side of Life,” for which the unfortunate incident occurred.
• A ban on actors working with producer Adamma Luke until further notice.
• Continued search for the bodies of the remaining missing persons, with prayers for their souls.

Rollas confirmed that the guild’s swift response was prompted by the tragic loss of Jnr Pope and the other crew members on the set of “The Other Side of Life,” which Adamma Luke was producing. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 10, 2024, on the waterside of River Niger Cable point in Asaba.

In an exclusive interview with the TNR team, Emeka Jude Ossai, the head of the AGN’s disciplinary committee, was asked whether the guild was looking to initiate a disciplinary process against Adamma Luke due to the incident. Ossai explained that for the committee to act, the case would first have to be referred to them by the AGN executive committee, as it was still within their jurisdiction at the time.

“For us (the disciplinary committee) to act, the case would have to be referred to us by the exco. As it is now, it’s still within their jurisdiction,” Ossai said.

The AGN’s thorough efforts underscore the seriousness of the situation and the guild’s unwavering dedication to protecting the safety and welfare of its members on movie sets, particularly in dangerous locations like the one where Jnr Pope and his colleagues tragically lost their lives.

Just hours before the accident, Jnr Pope had shared a video on his Instagram page, riding a wooden boat without a life jacket, as he lamented the risks actors take to entertain their audiences.

“See me lamenting. The risk we take to entertain you. Crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket. Na wahoooooo. Who does that?” The late actor had captioned the video, foreshadowing the devastating turn of events that would soon follow.

As the search continues for the missing crew members, the Nollywood community remains united in mourning the loss of Jnr Pope and the others, while also looking to the AGN for continued leadership in safeguarding the lives of actors and crew on film sets.