AGN sets up safety committee for members

Following the recent boat mishap that led to the death of Junior Pope, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has set up a committee to improve the safety of its members.

Pope, the actor, died on Wednesday after he fell into the River Niger in Asaba, Delta state on his way to a movie location.

The film star was on the trip with other actors and crew members.

AGN suspended all movies involving riverine locations on Thursday.

On Saturday, Emeka Rollas, the AGN president, in a statement by Kate Henshaw, the guild spokesperson, said the 13-member committee will “fine-tune the existing bye-laws to include members welfare, standard safety guidelines”.

The AGN boss also said the committee will work with other guilds and associations to”draft a bye-law” and recommend disciplinary measures against defaulters.

Rollas added that the committee will recommend a “royalty collecting body for performers in Nollywood”.

The committee will be headed by Emeka Ike while Jude Orhorha will serve as secretary.

Other members include Joke Silva, Femi Branch, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, and Patience Ozokwor.

“Following the recent fatal boat mishap on 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, MON, has set up a special committee with the following terms of reference,” the statement reads in part.

“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.”