Joseph Blankson, also known as Joe Blankson (29 October 1979 – 28 July 2018), was a Nigerian contractor who died while saving 13 victims of a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State on 28 July 2018.[1][2][3]
Joseph Blankson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 October 1979 Bakana, Rivers, Nigeria |
| Died | 28 July 2018 (aged 38) Rivers, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Known for | Heroism |
Early life and career
editBlankson was born in Bakana Degema, Rivers State, Nigeria on 29 October 1979, the second son of Elizabeth Blankson and her late husband.[2]
Blankson was a contractor working with an oil and gas company in Port Harcourt, where he supplied diesel.[4][5][6]
Boat accident
editOn Saturday 28 July 2018, the boat carrying 25 passengers left Abonnema Wharf for Bakana. Blankson and his sister were traveling to Bakana for a funeral. It was raining heavily during the boat's passage and the river was full of debris. Eventually the boat capsized.
Blankson swam in and out of the river 13 times to rescue the passengers. Suffering from exhaustion, he drowned on the 14th rescue attempt.[4][7][8] It was reported that Blankson was the only fatality in the boat accident.[1][2][9]
Personal life
editBlankson met his wife Mercy Blankson, a Microbiology graduate, in 2012 at their NYSC camp in Obubra, Cross River State. They got married the following year and had three children, but lost one as a result of a fire accident on 25 December 2016.[10][11]
Death and legacy
editBlankson's body was recovered a day later after the accident; he was buried the same day in the river according to customs over drowning.[12] A service of songs in honour of the deceased was held and well attended.[13][6][14]
On 29 July 2019, The Joe Blankson Foundation and swimming academy was setup in his honour by his wife and family to teach swimming and safety procedures for maritime travel.[15][16][10]
Recognition
editThe senate president, Bukola Saraki and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar both tweeted about the incident, praising the heroic act of Blankson.[17][4][18]
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike promised to support Blankson's family.[19][13][20][21][22] On 2 October 2021, President Muhammad Buhari honored Blankson with the "Presidential Special Award for Bravery and Patriotism", which was presented to his wife and two children.[23]
References
edit- ^ a b Odufuwa, Damilola. "Nigerian man dies after rescuing 13 people in boat accident". CNN. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ a b c "I fear for my grandkids' future after losing my son – Mum of Rivers man who died after saving 13 boat passengers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Tributes pour in for Nigerian 'superhero' Joe Blankson who died saving 13 others". Chronicle.ng. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ a b c Chironda, Melody (7 August 2018). "Nigerian Man Dies While Rescuing People from Capsized Boat". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Boat mishap: Rivers community mourns man, 36, who died after rescuing 13 passengers". The Sun Nigeria. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Hero at sea: Wike offers job, scholarships to late Blankson's family". businessday.ng. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Man dies after rescuing 13 people in boat accident". Daily Trust. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Man drowns after saving 13 people following a boat accident". News24. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Widow of Man who saved 13 People from Drowning thanks Nigerians for Support | Watch". BellaNaija. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ a b "I started a swimming school in hubby's memory – Wife of Rivers man who died saving capsized boat passengers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ Igonikon, Karina; Obidiebube, Ogechi (9 August 2018). "My son still dey find im papa - Joe Blankson widow". Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Celebrating our tragic hero, Joe Blankson". Vanguard News. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Rivers opens endowment fund for Blankson's children". guardian.ng. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Photos from the service of songs of Joe Blankson, the man who died while rescuing 13 persons in boat mishap in Rivers". Linda Ikeji's Blog. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Widow inaugurates foundation to tackle drowning in Rivers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "National Network Newspaper". National Network Newspaper. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Saraki, Atiku praise Nigerian who died after saving 13 people from drowning". www.pulse.ng. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Nigerians React To Death Of "Hero" Who Drowned After Saving 13 People". guardian.ng. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "The heroism of Blankson and Abubakar". Tribune Online. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Blankson's Widow Gets Govt Job, Education Fund For Children". Sahara Reporters. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "Rivers State Government Rewards Late Josph Blankson Who Died Rescuing Victims of Boat Mishap". LATEST NIGERIAN NEWS BREAKING HEADLINES NEWSPAPERS. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ "RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT OPENS AN ENDOWMENT FUND FOR JOE BLANKSON'S CHILDREN * Headline News Nigeria". Headline News Nigeria. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ^ Dada, Adekunle (3 October 2021). "Photos: Buhari honors Rivers state man, Joe Blackson, who died after rescuing 13 people from a river". Within Nigeria. Retrieved 3 October 2021.