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Junior Pope: ‘Forgive me, I’m gradually l0sing my life’, Adanma Luke pleads with Nigerians
Nollywood actress and producer, Adanma Luke, has appealed for forgiveness from Nigerians over the tragic boat accident that resulted in the deaths of actor John Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, and four others.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Monday, Luke, who was the producer of the movie titled “The Other Side of Life,” in which the crew were starring before their demise, stated that she has been depressed since the incident happened in April.
She added that she’s gradually losing her life and is in need of prayers.
Acknowledging the criticism she has faced online since the incident, she said, “I’m just here to say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Nigerians. I’m sorry I took away your loved ones from-what people are saying.
“I’m very sad. Inasmuch as I try to be strong, I don’t see myself strong. I’m so sad that this had to happen on my set. I’m sad that they had to work for me at that particular time. I’m not God. It has been destined to happen, it is meant to happen, but why me?
“I never liked the internet drama, but this whole thing put me out there. A lot of people have been dragging me; some have been calling me, ‘Ada, don’t talk. Let this die; don’t talk’. But I go through a lot.”
Luke explained that she had been struggling with depression and has been unable to work or reach out to people for jobs since the incident.
She added, “I did not even know what depression was until this incident happened. I’m gradually losing my life. I’m regretting a lot of things. I don’t even know how to call people for jobs.
“People are even saying I went on vacation, I’m here for business. I’ve been indoors doing nothing and yet still catering to the families that lost their loved ones. Where do you people expect me to get all the money from? I need to work.
“I go through so much. I’m trying to heal, but it’s not coming back. We all loved JP, and we all loved the other people who also lost their lives, my crew members.
“My friends want me to get my sanity back, but I’m not seeing myself doing all that. I believe that if anything happens to me now, everybody will rest. I didn’t do it on purpose. God, why me? Please, Nigerians, I’m sorry. You don’t know what I’m going through.”
The actress also delved into the circumstances surrounding the boat accident, stating that she had requested a better location to shoot the movie and was assured by her team that the area was safe.
“I haven’t visited Asaba in the past two years until that incident. I asked for a better location to shoot that movie, and they took me there,” she said.
“The first time I went there before the main shooting, I asked why they weren’t providing life jackets. Then my PM told me that is how they do it there—that a lot of people have been crossing and nothing is happening. They’ve been shooting there; I wasn’t the first person to shoot a movie there; they shoot there all the time. I wasn’t even filming on the water; it was a means of transportation to the place,” she added.
PUNCH Online reported that following the incident in April, the Actors Guild of Nigeria barred actors from participating in any film produced by Luke until further notice.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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