Junior Pope: AGN Reinstates Suspended Movie Producer, Adanma Luke
AGN lifts ban on Junior Pope's associate, Adanma Luke...
Actors Guild of Nigeria lifts suspension of Adanma Luke, producer of 'The Other Side of Life' film, after tragic boat accident that killed Junior Pope and four crew members.
Actors Guild of Nigeria President, Emeka Rollas, reverses suspension of Adanma Luke, producer of ‘The Other Side of Life’ film, which featured late actor Junior Pope.
Tragedy struck on April 10 when Junior Pope and four crew members lost their lives in a boat accident on the River Niger Cable Point in Asaba, Delta State, while returning from a movie set.
Following the incident, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) took swift action, suspending Adanma Luke indefinitely for violating safety protocols. The guild also prohibited its members from collaborating with Luke until further notice and temporarily banned film productions involving riverine areas and boat scenes to prevent similar incidents.
After a four-month suspension, Adanma Luke has been pardoned and is now allowed to participate in film productions again.
According to Abubakar Yakubu, National Secretary of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), the decision to lift Adanma Luke's suspension was announced during the guild's recent National Executive Council meeting.
The statement reads, “The National President of the Guild, Dr. Ejezie Emeka Rollas, MON, use this opportunity to announce the lifting of the suspension placed on Adanma Luke, producer of the movie 'Another Side of Life,' where star actor Junior Pope and four other crew members lost their lives in 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.”
A preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), dated May 25, revealed that the boat accident was caused by the driver's distraction. Furthermore, the report found that the boat was not certified by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), highlighting a critical safety lapse.
In a chilling coincidence, Junior Pope had expressed concerns about safety protocols on set just before his death. In a video posted on his Instagram page, he pointed out the absence of life jackets during their river crossing, foreshadowing the tragic events that would unfold.
The devastating incident sparked widespread calls for improved safety standards in the film industry, with many demanding greater scrutiny and accountability to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
In response to the tragic incident, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) swiftly offered condolences, suspended all movie productions nationwide on April 11, and formed two committees: one to probe the incident and another to enhance member welfare.
Following the tragedy, the AGN took proactive steps to improve industry standards and member well-being by introducing new bylaws on July 9.
According to the producer, Adanma Luke, life jackets were available on the ill-fated boat, but Junior Pope declined to wear one, citing its dirty condition. This corroborates the preliminary report by the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which noted that only a few passengers wore life jackets during the doomed voyage.
No comments:
Leave comment here