With billions pouring into the economy, entertainment leads the nascent gospel of diversification hugely through the film industry, aptly tagged Nollywood. From the bottom of the ladder, acting climbed fast to give Nigeria a global boost.

While Hollywood occupies the American space and Indians boast of Bollywood, many Africans can rightly flaunt Nollywood as their own. Nigerian actors are as prominent in South Africa as they are in Kenya and Ghana.

That is something we can be proud of. Not that there was no activity before Okey Ogunjiofor changed the face of the industry in the 1990s. Before Nollywood, Hubert Ogunde was visible even across Nigeria borders. Taiwo Ajayi Lycett had a swell time in the United Kingdom.

Patricia Ebigwei grew from home to become the great Patty Boulaye, overseas. Glamour came through Ogunjiofor application. Homes across the country were animated and glued to television sets watching a new set of actors, hitherto unknown in the industry.

It was like the Nigerian story was being simplified. Revenue from the industry was visible, young men and women turned idols and influencers overnight. As the market boomed, it created more job opportunities, from locations to other logistics.

Directors, producers, actors, make-up artists flooded the streets. Beyond the boom, not much was done in terms of regulation. The Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture seemed to have been carried away by the razzmatazz. What mattered most was cash.

This became an opportunity for money bags to occupy an important place in the scheme of things, since they paid the piper. Anyone, just anyone else, could jump into a location to shoot. The returns were alluring, choking the environment with regular production. The local and international breakthrough covered inadequacies that were smouldering.

With time, consequences are starring everyone in the face. On April 10, 2024, tragedy hit Nollywood in Anam, Anambra State. Five persons died while crossing the river to Asaba in Delta State trying to shoot yet another film. They were among cast and crew set for duty and thought a ride across the river would be more entertaining than following the Niger Bridge. The rigours of acting demand regular medical checks of Nollywood stars. In 2011, Sam Loco Efe, died in an Owerri hotel room while editing a film.

One of the dead was John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope. He got all the attention even in death. Drama played out. Initial reports said he died in the canoe accident. Moments later, there was jubilation in the air following the announcement of his ‘resurrection’.

The other four did not seem to have names, nor did they attract attention, until it was confirmed that Junior Pope was indeed dead. Abigail Frederick, a makeup artist, Precious Ofurum, Joseph Anointing and one other accompanying artiste, lost their lives.

However, that tragedy exposed the under belly of Nollywood. With all the millions accruing to the industry, many actors are not on any insurance bundle. Abigail, the make-up artist, was hurriedly buried by the riverside because there was no money to perform certain rituals, allegedly demanded by tradition in that area. This sounds strange but it happened.

It took the intervention of the governor of her state, Akwa Ibom, Mr. Umo Eno, to begin the process of a decent funeral. The body will be exhumed and taken back to her village. Welfare of artistes is not prioritised by producers. There was no accompanying doctor who would have saved some lives after the boat accident.

Junior Pope, for instance, was said to have still been breathing when he was brought out of the river. What the rescuers did was to take him straight to the morgue where an experienced attendant noticed life in the young man, who was then rushed to the hospital.

This sounds like comedy in tragedy. This is time for the Federal Government to come in as a regulator. The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) must be proactive in sanitising the industry. It is criminal to board a boat without wearing a life jacket. There are standards and they must be maintained.

Nollywood must not be seen in the light of accidents, health challenges and absurdities.

We join Kanayo O. Kanayo and Ini Edo in calling for more professional regulation and thorough overhaul of the very important sector of the economy.

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