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Tag: Junior Pope

  • Video: How the boat capsized – Survivor recounts Junior Pope’s last moment

    Video: How the boat capsized – Survivor recounts Junior Pope’s last moment

    TC One of the survivors of the boat mishap that killed famous  Nollywood actor, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, has recounted the actor’s last minute before the boat crash.

    According to TC, the boat’s captain lack of experience in driving the boat caused the accident.

    Speaking during an Instagram Live session, TC said: “Before I entered the boat, the first thing Junior Pope asked me was ‘What I’m I doing?’ And I said I was observing the water people. I can’t pass without sharing something. I have given them Fanta, so I don’t want anything bad to happen to me. Junior Pope agreed.

    “While we were going, the boat guy was wearing an earpiece, and Junior Pope was doing a video, I saw a small canoe with fishermen in front and due to his lack of experience, he drove right into the last point of the canoe and we somersaulted.”

    Four actors, including Junior Pope, died when their boat capsized on the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie location.

    The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, confirmed Junior Pope’s death on Thursday and stated that three other corpses are yet to be found.

     

    Watch video…

  • Culture Minister mourns Junior Pope

    Culture Minister mourns Junior Pope

    The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has expressed deep shock at the death of Nollywood actor, John Odonwodo, popularly known as “Junior Pope”.

    Junior Pope drowned in Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday, April 10, while returning from a movie location.

    This was barely 48 hours after the death of Kannywood actress, Saratu Gidado.

    Musawa, in a statement on Thursday through her media aide, Nneka Anibeze, described the recent spate of deaths in the entertainment industry as horrific and tragic.

    “It is a sad week for us in the creative and movie industry and a black Wednesday. Losing two lives in three days is not only horrifying but colossal.

    “We have lost great young talents and entertainment providers while generating content for Nigerian movie lovers.

    “We mourn and commiserate with their families. We stand by them at this tragic time and our thoughts are with all those who know them,” she said.

  • Nollywood stars mourn Junior Pope

    Nollywood stars mourn Junior Pope

    Some Nollywood stars have continued to mourn the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

    Recall that Junior Pope died along with three of his colleagues while returning from a movie location in a boat, when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

    His colleagues took to their social media platforms to mourn  Junior Pope who was finally pronounced dead on Wednesday at age 39.

    Actress Yvonne Jegede wrote: “I had imagined we would have a thanksgiving service, I was hoping we would flood Asaba to thank God for a second chance but God knows best.

    “This is bad for Nollywood. Please we should endeavor to implement safety measures on set.

    “I know some production companies do their best to have nurses and health professionals on set.

    “But some with small budgets should please consider this and everyone on set not just actors.

    “The boat itself isn’t good enough to go the distance. Please while we keep Jnr Pope and family in our prayers, let’s also remember others who died too.”

    According to her, any information on the others? We need to honor our own. I’m so broken, this is a nightmare.

    “@qutejay I pray for strength for you and the entire family right now.”

    Actress Rita Edochie wrote:  “At last, after he fought to stay alive, he is gone. Just when I felt a renewed hope running down my spine.

    “The will of God can never be countered. Still very hard to type R.I.P ,  so I am not saying anything to you because it’s really a dream.

    “It is well, God Almighty, we cannot question you, chaiiiiiiiii what a black Wednesday evening😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.”

    Filmmaker, Samuel Olatunji wrote: “Junior Pope is gone finally 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭What a sad end. May God console his family”.

    The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas  confirmed the death of Nollywood actor on his  instagram page on Thursday.

    Rollas wrote:  “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived.

    “My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.

    “God knows the best. We finally lost him,

    “Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found.”

  • Peter Obi reacts to the death of Pope Junior

    Peter Obi reacts to the death of Pope Junior

    Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has reacted to the death of Nollywood actor Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

    The former governor of Anambra state expressed shock over the death of the 39-year-old actor in a post on his X page.

    His words: ”Our entertainment industry, and indeed our dear nation, is once again thrown into mourning, by the death of this young talented actor.

    ”Junior Pope was known for his energetic acting, always comically delivered to entertain and educate. He brought smiles to the faces of many through his roles in movies and comedy skits.

    ”His death is yet another great loss to the entertainment industry which has in recent years risen to become a most vibrant sector of our social and economic life. I am even more saddened to imagine the pain and agony of the families they have just left behind.

    ”Death is a very painful experience, but the death of a young one with a promising future is even more devastating. I sincerely commiserate with his family and the families of others who also lost their lives in the boat accident.

    ”I also condole with the Actors Guild of Nigeria and the entire entertainment industry. May God give them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss, and grant eternal rest to the dead.”

  • VIDEO: What Nollywood actor, Junior Pope said before he died

    VIDEO: What Nollywood actor, Junior Pope said before he died

    Popular Nollywood actor, Pope Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope captured the last moments of his life before he died.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Junior Pope via Instagram shared a video of himself on a boat ride to a movie location hours before his death.

    In the video, Junior Pope was heard expressing fear about water hitting under the boat and pleading with rider to take it easy.

    Recall that the boat ferrying the actor capsized on River Niger while they were enroute to film location on Wednesday April 10.

    The Actor’s Guild of Nigeria on Wednesday night revealed that the actor didn’t survive the boat crash as all effort to revive him proved abortive.

    However, Pope’s last moment before his demise has been captured in a video he made himself before the boat capsized.

    The actor was seen making calls and saying that he has three children and that he would be the one to take care of all of them.

    He also begged the boat captain  to reduce the speed saying that this is the risk they go through in order to entertain people.

    “Abeg, no vex. You hear, bros? Na only me dem born, no vex. I get three children. Na me go raise dem. Bros, abeg.

    “Oh! Jesus! What is this? This is a risk. Swag nation, see the risk we take. See the risk we take, people to entertain you.

    “Life and direct on River Niger…this water dey hit under, e no go burst abi? Swag nation, my intestine don commot. I’m not joking. The risk we take to entertain you.

    “I am begging the captain that I am the only child and that I have three boys and I am the one to raise them.

    “Yes o, captain, God bless you. Him don calm down with the speed,” Junior Pope said in the video before reports emerged that the was dead.

    Watch video below:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by JNR POPE ODONWODO (@jnrpope)

  • AGN finally confirms Junior Pope’s death, declares “No Shoot Day”

    AGN finally confirms Junior Pope’s death, declares “No Shoot Day”

    The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

    The late actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

    Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived.

    “My first post was out of excitement when we noticed his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail.

    “God knows the best. We finally lost him, Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found”.

    Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.

    He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

    In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

    He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

    In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.

    He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.

    Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards among others.

    AGN declares April 11 “No Shoot Day” to honour late Junior Pope

    Meanwhile, the AGN has declared Thursday as “No Shoot Day” for all Nollywood filmmakers, following the death of actor Junior Pope and three other crew members who died in a boat mishap on Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

    Emeka Rollas, National President of AGN, in a statement on Thursday said that this happened on a movie set titled ‘’The other side of Life’’, produced by Adamma Luke.

    “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10th of April, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding is hereby suspended indefinitely.

    “No Shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, 11th April 2024 and the film titled “The other side of Life” is suspended indefinitely.

    “Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons. “May their souls rest in peace,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Junior Pope is alive – AGN President, Emeka Rollas

    BREAKING: Junior Pope is alive – AGN President, Emeka Rollas

    President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas has said Nollywood actor, Pope Odonwodo, popularly known as ‘Junior Pope’, is not dead but alive.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Rollas made this known on Wednesday via his official Instagram account following reports that Junior Pope died after a boat he was in capsized in Anambra State.

    According to the AGN President, Pope is receiving treat at an undisclosed hospital.

    “What God cannot do does not exist. Junior Pope is alive. He is taking treatment in the hospital,” Rollas wrote.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, when contacted for confirmation, had said information about the death of Junior Pope was not available to him.

    “I do not have that information, but I am aware there is a boat that capsized between the boundary of Anambra and Asaba.

    “It is confirmed that rescue operation is still ongoing; I don’t have the full details with me yet, as soon as I have further details I will let you know”, SP Ikenga said.

    A filmmaker, known as Samuel Olatunji first raise concerns about the death of Junior Pope via his official Instagram profile. According to Olatunji, Junior Pope was on his way to a movie location.

    The Nollywood star had earlier shared a video of himself on a boat on his way to the movie location via his official Instagram account.

    Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions as well as acting minor characters in movies.

    He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

    In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie, “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

    He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

    In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.

    He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.

    Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards among others.

  • What you might not know about Junior Pope

    What you might not know about Junior Pope

    Nollywood actor, Junior Pope Odonwodo, popularly known as ‘Jnr Pope’, on Wednesday lost his life in a boat mishap in Anambra State.

    Samuel Olatunji, a filmmaker, who took to his Instagram page to disclose the sad development, said that the deceased with three others were involved in the accident on Anam River while going to a movie location.

    Olatunji wrote “Junior Pope passes on. Sad day for Nollywood. Four actors including Jnr Pope fell into Anam River on their way to location and their bodies have been recovered.

    “What a sad day for Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Multiple sources confirmed this sad development to us.”

    Junior Pope, in 2006,  joined the Nollywood  industry and started attending movie auditions as well as acting minor characters in movies.

    He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

    In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie, “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

    He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

    In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.

    He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.

    Other awards he won include Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards among others.

  • BREAKING: Popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope is dead

    BREAKING: Popular Nollywood actor, Junior Pope is dead

    Popular Nollywood actor, Pope Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, is reported to be dead.

    Junior Pope reportedly died while attempting to cross the River Niger to shoot a new movie.

    His passing was announced on Wednesday by filmmaker, Sam Olatunji, who noted that the actor died with three others after their boat capsized.

    “Junior Pope passes on. Sad day for Nollywood. Four actors including Jnr Pope fell into Anam River on their way to location and their bodies have been recovered.

    “What a sad day for Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Multiple sources confirm this sad development to us.

    “May God console this family. More than 10 people have called me to cry and said how good of a human being Jnr Pope is,” Olatunji disclosed via Instagram.

    The Nollywood star had earlier shared a video of himself on a boat on his way to the movie location.

    He was confirmed dead at Marine Cable Point in Asaba, Delta State capital.

    Born 7th of May 1984, Pope died at the age of 39. He was married to Jennifer Awele until his death.