AGN Forms Committee To Improve Welfare And Safety Of Its Members

Emeka Rollas, AGN President

THIS comes after the boat tragedy on Wednesday that killed five people working in the film industry, including well-known actor Junior Pope.

This was revealed by the Guild in a statement that was published on its Instagram page on Saturday and was signed by Kate Henshaw, director of communications.

The statement said, in part, “Following the recent fatal boat mishap on the River Niger which claimed the lives of five film practitioners, including renowned actor, John Paul Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, in Asaba, Delta State, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, has set up a special committee.”

The statement went on to list the committee's mandate, which included, to “Fine tune the existing bye laws to include members welfare, standard safety guidelines, and set protocols.

“Engage all relevant guilds and associations for the full implementation. Also recommend disciplinary measures against erring members, producers, and production companies.

“Seek further engagement with other guilds/associations and relevant stakeholders on drafting a general bye law for the industry.

“Recommend possible requirements in setting up a royalty collecting body or rights collecting society for performers in Nollywood.”

Veteran actor Emeka Ike is in charge of the committee, and Jude Orhorha is in charge of the secretary position.

Joke Silva, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Francis Duru, Bimbo Manuel, Patience Ozokwor, Hilda Dokubo, Abubakar Yakubu, Gideon Okeke, Anthony Ogbetere, Femi Branch, and Kevin Uvo are among the other committee members.

Junior Pope and four other members of the team perished in their boat after it overturned while returning from a filming site on the River Niger. 

Actors were prohibited by the AGN from filming in riverine locations and from taking boat trips after the event.