The late Ms. Abigail Frederick, a talented makeup artist in Nollywood, tragically lost her life in a boat accident alongside Nollywood star actor Junior Pope. Her remains have now been reburied in Akwa Ibom State.
The funeral service, supported by the Akwa Ibom state government, was held on Monday, April 15. The unfortunate incident occurred last Wednesday on the Anam River in Anambra State, while they were returning from a movie shoot along with others.
Initially, Abigail was laid to rest by the riverbank due to financial constraints preventing her parents from meeting the villagers’ demands for rituals and the expenses of transporting her body back home for burial.
Following Governor Umo Eno’s condolences and intervention, her remains were exhumed from the river, and the state government facilitated her proper burial in her home state.
The state administration expressed ignorance of the situation initially and took swift action to ensure Abigail’s final resting place honored her memory appropriately.
Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Eno, Ekerete Udoh, who spoke on behalf of his boss at the weekend, said:, ”One of the victims of that accident, Ms. Abigael Edith Frederick, was a quintessential example of our young people who have hearkened to our clarion call for them to ‘Arise and Shine’. She was a 24 year-old graduate of Theatre Arts, who had found her passion as a make-up artiste.
“We are deeply saddened by her painful passing and on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, we sympathise with her family, the Nollywood community and her friends and colleagues over this sad loss.
“We have also followed and read the reportage, especially on the social media platforms surrounding her burial and wish to state categorically that, government was not informed of the circumstances that led to her burial.
“Governor Umo Eno has consequently directed that her body be brought back to her family for a proper and decent burial. As the famous theme song of the Liverpool Football Club goes, the bereaved family will not ‘walk alone’.”
