In response to the recent tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of five film practitioners, including renowned actor Junior Pope, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has established a special committee aimed at enhancing the safety and welfare of its members.
The announcement was made by the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, who has tasked the newly formed committee with refining existing regulations to prioritize member welfare, safety guidelines, and production protocols.
In a statement released by the Guild’s Director of Communications, Kate Henshaw, and shared on its Instagram page, the committee’s mandates were outlined. These include:
- Refining existing bye-laws to incorporate members’ welfare, safety standards, and protocols.
- Collaborating with other relevant guilds and associations for effective implementation.
- Recommending disciplinary actions against members, producers, and production companies found in violation of safety protocols.
- Initiating discussions with other industry stakeholders to develop a comprehensive bye-law.
- Exploring the establishment of a royalty or rights collecting society for Nollywood performers.
The committee will be chaired by veteran actor Emeka Ike, with Jude Orhorha serving as the secretary. Notable industry figures such as 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 committee members.
The tragic incident occurred when Junior Pope and four other crew members were returning from a movie location on the River Niger. Following this, the AGN has temporarily prohibited actors from participating in movie shoots in riverine areas and engaging in boat rides until further notice.
