Nigerian star’s fatal boat accident calls for safety review in Nollywood

The tragic death of Nigerian actor Junior Pope, born John Paul Odonwodo, has rocked Nollywood, prompting urgent calls for improved security measures. The 42-year-old actor drowned in the Niger River after a boat collision, a day after a video was published showing the risks actors face. Four other people, including members of the film crew, also died in the accident. The initial investigation revealed numerous safety lapses: an unauthorized driver, an unregistered boat and a lack of life jackets, with only one survivor wearing his own. Ruth Kadiri, another actress and friend, recounted a similar near-drowning experience, highlighting pervasive safety issues in the industry. He supports the creation of a regulatory body for safety on film sets. Fellow actor Chidi Dike noted some improvement but stressed the need for more action. Due to this unfortunate incident, the Nollywood Actors Guild suspended all river filming and demanded better safety standards.

SOURCE: BBC