Film & Television

Why Nollywood Shut Down Locations to Mourn Junior Pope, Others

 

-Ego Boyo Urges Filmmakers on Safety at Locations

 

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), through its president, Emeka Rollas,  declared yesterday April 11  as “No Shoot Day” for all actors and producers in the industry. In a press release issued to express sadness on the deaths of Mr John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope, AGN suspended Adamma Luke, the producer of the movie that led to the tragic occurrence.

“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 10th April 2024 on a movie set titled ‘The other side of Life’ produced by Adanma Luke, the leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions:

The actor had gone to shoot a film titled “Another Side of Life”, produced by Adamma Luke when the boat he was travelling in capsized. He drowned with four crew members.

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), through its president, Emeka Rollas declared April 11 “No Shoot Day” for all actors and producers in the industry and suspended Adamma Luke, the producer of the movie that led to the tragic occurrence.

“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 leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions:

  • All films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are at this moment suspended indefinitely.
  • No shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024.
  • The film titled ‘Another Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely.
  • 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, may their souls Rest In Peace,” the guild said.

Junior Pope made his debut in Nollywood in 2006 with the movie “Secret Adventures,” directed by Tchidi Chikere.

The veteran Nollywood actress and movie producer, Ego Boyo has urged filmmakers to provide adequate welfare for cast and crew during film productions.

 

“We have to be serious about actually making the guilds work for actors, producers, directors, everyone,” she began in a series of tweets of X. “There have to be policies in place, proper structure  to take care of our people. We have a duty of care to the people we employ, and the professional guilds must take their welfare on and off set priority. How can people go to work and lose their lives and everything remains the same? We must make changes. It’s not the first time and won’t be the last if something doesn’t change. Health and safety must be taken seriously!”

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