…As Ali Nuhu says recent deaths in movie industry rob the nation of legendary filmmakers
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has conveyed its deepest regret over the unfortunate boat mishap which claimed four lives on Wednesday.
It could not yet be established whether or not, all the passengers wore lifejackets at the time of the incident.
A condolence message by Dakio Horsfall, the Acting General Manager (Marine) of the authority, on Thursday in Lokoja, said the management of the authority condoled with the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the victims’ families over the losses.
The mishap reportedly involved two boars on the River Niger en route to Asaba in Delta State at about 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday.
The accident, which involved an unregistered fibreglass boat with 12 persons on board and a privately owned wooden boat with a lone driver, left four persons dead, while seven others were rescued.
Horsfall said: “Preliminary reports indicated that the accident resulted from a frontal collision between the two boats due to overspeeding.
“Sadly, two people died at the scene of the accident, two more bodies were recovered 24 hours later off-site, while 7 persons were rescued.
“Consequently, the Authority commiserates with the families of the deceased persons and pray that the good Lord will repose the souls of the departed”.
He said that upon the receipt of the report of the accident through its community-based structure, the NIWA deployed its search and rescue team to the scene for immediate rescue activities.
According to him, the team and other stakeholders including the local divers, swung into action and have continued the search and rescue effort since Wednesday.
“As of the last count, one person is still unaccounted for.
“Also, the Marine Department of NIWA has activated its accident investigation mechanism to determine the cause(s) of the accident and make appropriate recommendations,” he said
The manager stressed the need for all users of the inland waterways to, mandatorily, adhere to all the established safety protocols, including the completion of passenger manifest at the loading and offloading points.
“The usage of life jackets on the waterways is mandatory, avoiding over speeding, and yielding to weather dictates, at all times,” he said.
Horsfall commended the Marine Police, local divers/ fishermen, Maritime Unions and other good-hearted Nigerians who rose to support the Authority in its rescue efforts.
“Nevertheless, NIWA hereby assures all Nigerians of its continuous efforts aimed at promoting safer inland waterways for the use of all”.
In another development, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Mr Ali Nuhu has said that recent deaths in the movie industry have robbed the nation of legendary filmmakers.
This is contained in a statement signed by Brian Etuk, the Director of Public Affairs of the NFC in Abuja.
Nuhu described the death of Saratu Gidado (aka Daso) and John Odonwodo, known as Junior Pope, as heart-wrenching for colleagues and film industry stakeholders.
”Their deaths, which occurred within the week has left Nigeria’s movie industry in a state of mourning.
”Stakeholders have been pained by the frequent recent losses robbing the country of legendary filmmakers, who have impacted and contributed greatly to the growth of Nigeria’s film industry.
“Their footprints within the development of the Nigerian film industry will not be forgotten,” he said.
Speaking about the late Gidado, the NFC boss said she caught the fancy and interest of Nigerians, particularly as a lead character in several of Kannywood films, such as ‘Linzami Da Wuta’ and ‘Gidauniya’.
”She was a Zuma Film Festival(ZUFF) 2023 Life Time Achievers Awardee but sadly succumbed to death in the early hours of Tuesday, April 9.
“Odonwodo’s role in showcasing the professional competencies and screen delivery by actors is remarkable, as can be found in ‘Honey Money’, ‘Blood Affair’ and ‘Wrong Initiation’ movies in which the late actor acted.
“While Mr Ibu delivered that evoked laughter and comic relief, leaving behind a gap to be filled, the refined gentlemen shall be greatly missed,” he added.
Nuhu pledged that the NFC would continue to support the film industry policy initiatives that promoted friendly and safe working conditions, including medical, health and life insurance schemes for stakeholders.
Nuhu also sympathised with the immediate families, friends and associates of the deceased, as well as the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and prayed that Almighty God grant them rest.
