Abuja, NIGERIA — In a heartfelt video posted on Instagram, Nollywood actress and producer Adanma Luke has made a public plea for forgiveness from Nigerians following a devastating boat accident in April that claimed the lives of actor John Odonwodo, known as Junior Pope, and four others.
Luke, who produced the film *The Other Side of Life* in which the deceased crew members were involved, expressed deep sorrow and regret over the incident. “Forgive me,” she said, visibly distressed. “I’m gradually losing my life.” She revealed that she has been struggling with severe depression since the accident and is in desperate need of prayers.
The producer acknowledged the online backlash she has faced, stating, “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.” She conveyed her anguish, saying, “I’m so sad that this had to happen on my set. I’m not God. It has been destined to happen, but why me?
“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 detailed her ongoing battle with depression and the impact it has had on her professional and personal life. “I didn’t even know what depression was until this incident happened. I’m gradually losing my life,” she said, adding that she has been unable to work or seek new projects.
She also addressed misconceptions about her situation, including claims that she went on vacation. Luke clarified that she has been largely confined to her home, attempting to manage the financial and emotional fallout from the tragedy.
“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.”
Regarding the circumstances of the accident, Luke explained that she had requested a safer filming location and was assured by her team of the area’s safety.
“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.
In response to the tragedy, the Actors Guild of Nigeria has imposed a ban on actors working with Luke’s productions until further notice.
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