Entertainment
Boat Driver Transporting Late Junior Pope, Other Actors Not Certified – NSIB
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the boat accident which involved several Nollywood actors, including late Junior Pope in Anambra recently.
The report stated that the boat driver was not certified.
This information was disclosed during a press briefing on Friday where the NSIB presented four reports, including two final aviation incident reports, one preliminary aviation incident report, and one preliminary marine accident report, along with 20 safety recommendations.
BIZTELLERS reports that the tragic incident took place on April 10, 2024, as the boat was ferrying 12 actors and crew members along the Anam River in Anambra State.
The accident led to the unfortunate loss of five passengers, among them the renowned Nollywood actor Mr. Paul Odonwodo, widely recognized as Junior Pope.
Among those who tragically perished in the incident were Ms. Abigail Frederick, Mr. Precious Oforum, and Mr. Joseph Anointing.
Engr. Abdullahi Babanya, Director of Transport Investigation, presented the preliminary findings during the briefing, revealing that the speed boat capsized, throwing all occupants into the Anam River.
Regrettably, five passengers sustained fatal injuries, while seven were rescued alive.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) was not formally notified but learned of the accident through social media channels. Subsequently, investigators from the Enugu Regional office of NSIB were dispatched to the accident site on April 12, 2024.
According to the NSIB, initial findings revealed several critical issues: the boat driver lacked certification, the fiber boat was not registered with the National Inland Waterways Authority, and it was carrying 12 passengers along with one boat driver.
The director said, “There was only one person on the wooden fishing canoe. This rowdiness in the boat distracted the driver and he was not looking out as required. The boat was on high speed and the crossing canoe was moving at a much slower speed.
“The only occupant of the canoe, on sighting the fast approaching boat jumped into the river and escaped; The boat collided with the canoe at a high speed which resulted in the boat capsizing and all persons onboard were flung into Anam River.”
As per the preliminary report, while five passengers tragically succumbed to their injuries, the remaining seven passengers along with the driver survived the crash.
He said “Only one passenger on the outboard engine fibre boat was wearing a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket came with it and was not provided by the operator.
“The passenger wearing the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was fitted with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and persons onboard the boat. Rescue operation was not timely and there were no trained divers around to assist in the operation.”
The bureau’s safety recommendations emphasized the necessity for the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to guarantee the registration of all boats involved in commercial activities, encompassing both goods and passenger transportation within the national inland waterways.
Moreover, NIWA was urged to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of comprehensive safety measures across inland waterways.
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has sparked fresh reactions online after revealing that she burnt the outfit she wore to the burial of late actor Alex Ekubo, following advice from her godmother.
The actress made the disclosure via her Instagram page, where she explained that she was instructed not to keep clothes worn to funeral ceremonies, describing it as a traditional belief passed down through her family.
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According to her, the advice came from her godmother, who insisted that clothing worn to burials should be discarded or burnt after the event.
Angela said she chose to follow the instruction and decided to publicly share the practice with her followers.
“This is the outfit I wore to Alex’s burial. My Godmother said it is not good to have the cloth you wore to a burial around you; you burn them. So family and friends take note. I felt I should share this information. May the Lord keep and bless us with long life. Amen,” she wrote.
Her revelation has since generated mixed reactions across social media, with some users supporting the traditional belief while others questioned the necessity of burning clothing after funerals.
The actress, known for her outspoken personality and frequent online commentary, has continued to trend over her posts, which often stir public debate.
See video below
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Popular Nigerian actress, model, and reality TV star Beverly Osu has opened up about her childhood dream of becoming a Reverend Sister, revealing that she was once deeply drawn to the religious life because of her admiration for the discipline and appearance of Catholic clergy.
Speaking on the Creativtea Podcast, the actress reflected on her upbringing and strong Catholic background, noting that her early years were shaped by faith and religious values.
“I grew up in Lagos, in Surulere, and from Surulere I moved to Yaba, Ojuelegba. I am a Lagos girl,” Beverly said while recounting her childhood experiences.
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The former Big Brother Africa housemate disclosed that she attended Daughters of Divine Love Juniorate in Enugu and seriously considered dedicating her life to the Church.
“I was meant to be a Reverend Sister. I wanted to really be a Reverend Sister. Now, I am doing God’s work in other ways,” she said.
According to Beverly, her fascination with the religious vocation stemmed from the neatness, discipline, and appearance of priests and Reverend Sisters.
“I love how they dress. Because I am meticulous and very neat, I just loved how clean the priests and Reverend Sisters were. Literally, that was it,” she explained.
The actress also addressed the criticism that followed a previous photoshoot in which she dressed as a Reverend Sister, a move that generated widespread reactions on social media.
Beverly maintained that the photoshoot was purely artistic and not intended to offend anyone, stressing that many people misunderstood the concept behind it.
“I grew up in a very Catholic-oriented home. This is not just being Catholic in Africa, far and wide. People just read meaning to it. Nigerians just like to talk. It wasn’t a big deal. It was just arty,” she said.
Responding to claims that she is controversial, the actress insisted that she has never intentionally sought controversy or acted to provoke public reactions.
“I have never meant any harm. I have never done anything with the mindset to be controversial. I just came across the word ‘controversial’. People say I am controversial, but I am just being me,” Beverly added.
Her comments have sparked fresh conversations among fans, with many expressing surprise at her revelation that she once aspired to become a Reverend Sister before finding fame in the entertainment industry.
Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up about the public perception that she is wicked in real life, explaining that the belief stems from the villainous roles she has played throughout her successful acting career.
Popularly known as “Mama G,” the 67-year-old actress said many Nigerians often struggle to separate her on-screen characters from her real personality.
SEE MORE: Patience Ozokwor Inspired Me To Stop Indecent Dressing – Mercy Johnson
Speaking during a recent video chat, Ozokwor stressed that the tough and controversial roles she portrays are meant to expose societal problems rather than define who she is as a person.
According to the veteran actress, she deliberately takes on challenging roles that reflect real-life issues, including family conflicts, oppression, and other social vices that many people prefer to ignore.
“I feel bold to expose the ills in society. Those things happen and nobody wants to expose them. I am exposing them,” she said.
Ozokwor noted that while she is often cast as a strict mother, troublesome mother-in-law, or other antagonistic characters, those roles are simply part of her profession as an actress.
The Nollywood icon emphasized that she is nothing like many of the characters she portrays on screen and urged fans to understand the difference between acting and reality.
“I am not like that, but I expose it. I am extremely proud of myself and Mama G lovers are proud of me,” she added.
The actress further explained that storytelling plays an important role in addressing societal issues and encouraging positive change.
She expressed satisfaction that many of her fans appreciate the deeper messages behind her performances rather than judging her based solely on the characters she plays.
Over the years, Patience Ozokwor has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most respected actresses, earning praise for her powerful performances and ability to bring complex characters to life.
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