Might we spare a prayer for Nollywood? Since the start of the year, the world’s second-largest film producer has only weathered a series of deaths, some of which followed a flurry of controversies. Yet the recent demise of Junior Pope, another actor, strikes as hard as a bombshell, largely for the circumstances that surrounded it. Pope, aged 39, died together with 3 crew members after their boat capsized in the River Niger while en route to a film location.
As expected, Pope’s death continues to trigger a wave of comments, especially from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), for blatant negligence and a supposedly avoidable error. Yet Pope’s death merely underscores the overall negligence that mars Nigeria’s regulations on its waterways.
As can be seen in recent times, sea travel in Nigeria poses just as much risk as a road journey. In addition to sea pirates, sea travellers have to worry about bad protective gear and defective engines, including awful weather. In 2023 at least 300 people lost their lives in boat accidents in Nigeria, according to an investigation by The Cable. In June 2023, news of 100 people drowning in the River Niger rocked the nation.
The deceased were part of a crew of wedding guests when their boat capsized. Following the news of the mishap, the Nigerian Inland Waterway Authority attributed the accident to overloading and the absence of life jackets. But reports of many more mishaps would continue to break out.
Less than a fortnight later, on June 24, 3 students were reported to have died after their cruise boat capsized in the river surrounding the Marina Resort in Calabar, Cross River. Again, overloading, alongside faulty engine and bad weather, were blamed.
Similarly, in October, around 76 people, mostly women and children displaced by flooding in their communities, died in a boat accident in Anambra State. The boat was reported to have been beset by huge waves, causing the driver to lose control.
Boat travel became popular for its ease and comfort. Yet, as can be gleaned from the statistics, this has proven even more perilous than road travel. The factors responsible for a high incidences of boat accidents, according to NIWA, are a lack of life jackets and overloading. But given that the causes of these accidents are known and can be avoided, why do many more hapless passengers drown in the country’s waterways?
In the wake of the rising spate of boat mishaps, President Tinubu directed maritime authorities and law enforcement agencies to conduct an investigation into the crisis. But not much has been done to probe this crisis, as evidenced in the soaring reports of boat accidents and drowning.
The problem for this is simply a lack of enforcement. Each month, around 12 people die in Nigeria’s turbulent waterways owing to the negligence in regulation of boat travel. Because enforcement of maritime laws remains weak, many more Nigerians risk their lives due to overcrowded boats and faulty gear
In a video released shortly before his death, Junior Pope was seen pleading—albeit jokingly—for the sailor to crank down the speed of the cruise, emphasizing the risks embarked on by Nollywood actors to satisfy their fans’ entertainment. Pope couldn’t have known that he was en route to an untimely death. In the furor that has trailed the actor’s death, the Nigerian government deserves the most culpability.
Recent events have cast a shadow over Nollywood, with the death of actor Junior Pope and three crew members in a boating accident on the River Niger. This tragedy is among several recent incidents highlighting severe negligence and safety issues in Nigeria's waterways, often attributed to overloading, lack of life jackets, and poor maintenance of boats.
Nigeria has witnessed over 300 deaths in boat accidents this year alone. Critical incidents include the drowning of 100 people, mostly wedding guests, in June, and another tragic event in October, which claimed around 76 lives of flood-displaced individuals in Anambra State. Despite the known causes of these accidents, such as overloading and bad weather, enforcement of safety regulations remains weak.
In response to the ongoing crisis, President Tinubu has called for an investigation, but insufficient action has been taken. On average, 12 people die each month in Nigeria’s waterways due to regulatory failures. Junior Pope's death serves as a poignant reminder of the risks and negligence that continue to endanger lives.
