Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, on Saturday, visited the family of the late Nollywood make-up artist, Abigael Frederick, who died in a recent boat accident.
Frederick was among the five film practitioners, including Junior Pope, who died when their boat capsized in the River Niger on Wednesday.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, disclosed this in a statement and shared photos from the governor’s visit on the official Facebook page of the state government on Saturday.
The statement partly read, “Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on arrival from an official engagement in Abuja, this afternoon drove straight to the family compound of the late Nollywood make-up artist, Abigail Edith Frederick, in Ikot Udoma, Eket Local Government Area, where he consoled the bereaved family.
“Showing deep emotions, Governor Eno sat with the grieving family members and told them he feels their pain.”
According to the statement, Eno commended Frederick’s pursuit of her passion as a young entrepreneur and expressed sadness over her untimely passing.
He said, “This is deeply unfortunate, a young girl, 24 years old, who finished her youth service just last year and decided to pursue her passion.
“This is a reflection of our arise spirit. It shows that our young people are willing to go out there, not begging, not waiting for handouts, but to pursue their passions.
“It is sad and unfortunate that her life ended the way it did.”
Eno further directed the renovation of the family house and announced an automatic civil service job for the deceased’s elder sister.
He also pledged assistance for her two younger sisters, who are undergraduates at the University of Uyo.
The statement added, “The governor thereafter gave an automatic employment in the state civil service to the surviving elder sister of the deceased, and directed the SSA on Humanitarian Services, Umo Ekpo, to renovate the family house and bring it to modern standards.
“The governor also assured them of the government’s assistance to the two sisters of the bereaved who are undergraduates at the University of Uyo, said to be sponsored by the late Nollywood make-up artist.”
Eno had earlier instructed that the body of makeup artist be returned to the state for a proper burial.
Fredrick’s body was discovered on Thursday, April 11, and reportedly buried at the riverbank.