Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, is in mourning following the tragic death of two cinematographers, Johnson Onoriode Ododife and Chigo Gozman, in a fatal car accident on Sunday, May 11, along Port Harcourt Road.
According to veteran Nollywood producer Stanley Ontop, the duo were returning from a colleague’s wedding when the crash occurred.
Confirming the incident in an emotional Instagram post, Ontop described the day as a “Black Sunday” for the Nollywood community.
He wrote, “Black Sunday in Nollywood as we lost two crew members in an auto crash in PH while returning from one of their members’ wedding yesterday.
“We lost the Delta State Chairman of the Cinematographers Society of Nigeria (CSN) and a very good and talented cinematographer in Asaba. I am heartbroken. Chai, Gozie, my friend and brother—may their souls rest in peace. This too shall pass. Ontop cares. Shalom.”
Ododife was the Delta State Chairman of the Cinematographers Society of Nigeria, while Gozman was a rising content creator and cinematographer based in Asaba.
Their deaths have sent shockwaves through Nollywood, with industry colleagues and fans pouring in tributes to honour their memory.
According to veteran Nollywood producer Stanley Ontop, the duo were returning from a colleague’s wedding when the crash occurred.
Confirming the incident in an emotional Instagram post, Ontop described the day as a “Black Sunday” for the Nollywood community.
He wrote, “Black Sunday in Nollywood as we lost two crew members in an auto crash in PH while returning from one of their members’ wedding yesterday.
“We lost the Delta State Chairman of the Cinematographers Society of Nigeria (CSN) and a very good and talented cinematographer in Asaba. I am heartbroken. Chai, Gozie, my friend and brother—may their souls rest in peace. This too shall pass. Ontop cares. Shalom.”
Ododife was the Delta State Chairman of the Cinematographers Society of Nigeria, while Gozman was a rising content creator and cinematographer based in Asaba.
Their deaths have sent shockwaves through Nollywood, with industry colleagues and fans pouring in tributes to honour their memory.

