By Ken Asinobi
Members of the Nollywood industry in Rivers State have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his unwavering support and solidarity following the tragic death of Precious Ofurum in the ill-fated Anam River boat mishap.
The over fifty thousand practitioners from various fields within Nollywoaod, including actors, directors, producers, cinematographers, and others, conveyed their deepest appreciation to the Governor for ensuring a dignified funeral for the late Nollywood star, who hailed from Ubima in Ikwerre local government area.
During a press conference held in Port Harcourt on Friday, Mr. Eric Stevenson, the convener of the conference, spoke on behalf of the creative community and expressed their gratitude towards organizations and individuals, like Prophet Jeremiah Ezekiel, Linda Ikeji Blog, Tunde Ednut, and all media houses in Rivers State and beyond, for their moral and financial support.
Mr. Stevenson stated, “These individuals before you are creative minds who, against all odds, use their craft to entertain, inform, and inspire. It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the loss of our colleague, Precious Ofurum, a twenty-six-year-old talent from Rivers State, who tragically lost his life in a boat accident during a movie shoot on April 9th in Anambra State, alongside three others.
He continued, “We extend our deepest gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his unwavering support and compassion. Governor Fubara, the ‘people’s governor’ and the new father of Nollywood Rivers State, we have witnessed your exemplary leadership and the positive impact you have made in the civil service sector.
“Your passion for your work is truly inspiring. By extending emotional, physical, and financial support to Nollywood during this difficult time, you have given us hope and reassurance that we are not forgotten. We humbly request a round table meeting with you to discuss how we can collectively create employment opportunities, generate revenue, and establish Rivers State as a thriving hub for the film industry. Additionally, we deeply appreciate your visit to the family of Precious Ofurum and your commitment to ensuring their well-being.
Mr. Stevenson concluded the conference by stating, “Although we received the news late, we felt compelled to rally our fellow practitioners and organize a walk to raise awareness among the people of Rivers State about the tragic incident involving one of their own. This walk was met with shock and surprise from our dear Rivers people, who expressed their desire to bring Precious back home. Previously, we felt neglected and undervalued in our state, but the passing of Precious Ofurum has united us and ignited our determination to bring positive change. We kindly request that you keep the family of Precious Ofurum, the Nollywood industry, and our dear governor and state in your prayers.
The Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Rivers State branch, Chief (Dr) Kenneth Osunwa, also addressed the conference, highlighting the significant cultural and economic contributions of Nollywood to the state.
He commended Governor Fubara for his recognition of the industry’s importance and his commitment to fostering a conducive environment for Nollywood practitioners to flourish.
Nollywood veteran, Millicent Jack who also spoke at the conference, raised a crucial concern emphasizing the need for the well-being and welfare of movie practitioners in the state.
She revealed that the Nollywood leadership had taken the initiative to pursue comprehensive insurance coverage for all movie practitioners in the country.
This initiative, she said, aims to provide financial security and support to individuals in the industry, acknowledging the risks and challenges they face in their line of work.