Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, has commiserated with the family of the State-born Nollywood makeup artist, Ms Abigail Edith Frederick, who died in a tragic boat mishap while returning from movie location with others on Anam River in Anambra State a few days ago, ordering the exhumation of her body from the riverside for proper burial.
The make-up artist died alongside three other crew members, including a popular actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo, last Wednesday.
Abigail’s remains were reportedly buried at the bank of Anam River over the inability of her parents to shoulder the cost of bringing her remains home for burial.
But, the Akwa Ibom State government claimed it was not aware of such situation and ordered her body to be exhumed and evacuated to her home State for proper burial.
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’.”
