The late Joe Blankson will be remembered for his heroics on this day in 2018.

On Saturday, July 28, the late Blankson became a national hero when he saved the lives of 14 passengers involved in a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State.

That day, the boat carrying 25 passengers from Abonnema Wharf to Bakana capsized after hitting debris. At the time, Blankson and his sister were traveling to Bakana for a funeral.

According to reports, Blankson swam in and out of the river 13 times to rescue the passengers. Suffering from exhaustion, he drowned on the 14th rescue attempt. Blankson was the only fatality in the boat accident.

His body was recovered a day after the event and buried the same day in the river according to customs.

On July 29, 2019, The Joe Blankson Foundation and swimming academy were set up in his honor by his wife and family to teach swimming and safety procedures for maritime travel.

The event, however fatal, made him a national hero.

Months after the incident, President General Muhammadu Buhari bestowed a posthumous award on him.

Sharing pictures of the event on his verified Facebook page, the president described Blankson as a true Nigerian hero.

Buhari said, “On Thursday night at the State House, we honored the memory of Joseph Blankson, a true Nigerian hero, who lost his life while saving others following a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State, on July 28, 2018.

“Blankson successfully rescued 13 persons and tragically drowned while attempting the 14th rescue. He was the sole casualty of the boat accident.”

“I presented a posthumous Presidential Special Award for Bravery and Patriotism to his wife, Mercy, and his two children, in recognition of the greatness and heroism of their husband and father.

“We will continue to celebrate the best of Nigeria and Nigerians, as we work for and look forward to a better, brighter and greater Nigeria,” the president said.

The president noted that he presented a presidential special award for bravery and patriotism to the late hero.

He was survived by his wife and two children. However, on September 30, Buhari presented a posthumous award to his wife and two children.