The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has lifted the suspension placed on Adanma Luke, producer of the movie The Other Side of Life, which featured the late actor John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
Junior Pope and four crew members tragically drowned on April 10 after their boat capsized in a river near Cable Point, Asaba, Delta State, while returning from the movie set.
The incident caused widespread outrage from the public as it was revealed that life jackets were not provided for the trip.
In response to the incident, the AGN, led by Emeka Rollas, suspended Ms. Luke indefinitely for violating safety protocols and barred its members from working with her until further notice.
The guild also prohibited filming in riverine areas and boat rides to safeguard actors and crew members, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, AGN national secretary Abubakar Yakubu announced that the decisions to lift the suspension on the producer and to remove the ban on shooting in riverine areas were made during the guild’s national executive council meeting.
The statement reads, “The National President of the Guild, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, MON, uses this opportunity to announce the lifting of the suspension placed on Adanma Luke, producer of the movie The Other Side of Life, where star actor Junior Pope and four other crew members lost their lives in the Anam river.
The President also lifted the ban on filming in riverine areas but cautioned members to apply all safety standard measures recommended in the AGN Bylaws.”
This decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some members and stakeholders of the industry have expressed relief at the lifting of the suspension, emphasizing the need for the industry to move forward, others remain concerned about the safety of actors and crew members during film productions, particularly in hazardous locations.
In light of the incident, the AGN has reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict safety protocols and ensuring that all members adhere to them.
The guild plans to introduce more rigorous safety training and guidelines for its members, especially for those involved in productions that require filming in potentially dangerous environments.
The AGN’s actions underscore the importance of safety in the film industry, highlighting the need for continuous improvement in safety standards to protect all individuals involved in film production.
The guild’s leadership has promised to maintain vigilance and take necessary measures to prevent future tragedies.
As the industry reflects on this tragic event, it serves as a solemn reminder of the risks involved in filmmaking and the essential role of safety measures in safeguarding the lives of those who bring stories to life on screen.
QED
