In the wake of a tragic incident on the set of "The Other Side of Life" movie production, the Office of the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria has issued a press statement outlining crucial decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of all industry stakeholders.
The incident, which occurred on April 10, 2024, at the waterside of River Niger Cable point in Asaba, claimed the life of Mr. John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope (Abakwa Boy), along with four other crew members. The movie was being produced by Adamma Luke.
In response to this devastating loss and to prevent future occurrences, the following decisions have been made according to the statement:
All films that involve scenes in riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely. This precautionary measure aims to prioritize the safety of cast and crew members.
There will be no shoots permitted on any location nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024. This temporary halt in production allows for reflection and mourning in light of the tragic event.
The film titled "The Other Side of Life" is suspended indefinitely. Production on this project will remain halted until further notice.
No actor is permitted to work with Adamma Luke as a producer until further notice. This decision underscores the importance of accountability and safety standards in filmmaking collaborations.
The statement concludes with heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased. As the search for the remaining persons continues, the National President extends wishes for their souls to rest in peace.
John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope gained the attention of the Bamenda public in November 2023 following his outing on an attack on colleague actor Mado aka Shina Rambo in Bamenda that left many dead.
Abakawa boy as he described himself connected his routes to Bamenda detailing how well he understood the town before moving to Nigeria in 90s to further his studies. Many in Bamenda are mourning Junior Pope as one of theirs considering that he lived at Small Mankon and accompanied the father to their Commercial Avenue Varsity Bookshop.