Nigeria finds itself in a state of mourning once again, this time grieving the loss of the beloved Nollywood actor, Junior Pope, whose real name was Pope Obumneme Odonwodo.
Tragically, Pope was declared deceased on Thursday morning, the aftermath of a devastating boat accident that occurred on Wednesday, April 10. He was among a group of four other actors whose boat capsized in River Anam while they were returning from a filming location.
Miraculously, Junior Pope was initially rescued by divers and transported to the mortuary, where it was discovered he was still alive. He was swiftly transferred to the hospital’s emergency department for treatment. Emeka Rollas, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), shared the hopeful news of his survival on Wednesday evening, expressing gratitude to God for sparing Pope’s life.
However, tragically, Junior Pope’s condition took a turn for the worse, and he eventually succumbed to his injuries, shattering the brief moment of hope and joy. Emeka Rollas shared the heartbreaking update early on Thursday, confirming the devastating loss.
At the time of the accident, Junior Pope was actively involved in shooting a Nollywood film titled ‘The Other Side Of Life.’
Prior to the tragic incident, the actor had posted a poignant video, where he could be heard pleading with the boat captain to slow down, highlighting the risks they faced without life jackets. His caption conveyed the depth of his concerns, emphasizing his responsibility as the sole provider for his family.
Junior Pope, born on May 7, 1984, in Cameroon, had migrated to Nigeria at a young age. He ventured into the acting industry in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Awele, and their three sons.
The untimely passing of Junior Pope adds to the recent losses suffered by the Nigerian entertainment industry, with the deaths of notable actors John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu, and Amaechi Muonagor, both succumbing to illness.
