The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, has been thrown into mourning following the sad demise of actor, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope. The actor and three of his colleagues were said to be coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra State. Their bodies have since been recovered.
Hours before the incident, the actor shared a video of himself taken on Monday, April 9, 2023, in a boat and praying frantically to arrive at his destination safely. The accident unfortunately happened on his way back from the location yesterday April 10th.
The actor is survived by his wife and three children. The film community is deeply saddened by this sudden loss, as Junior Pope was a talented and beloved actor who had contributed significantly to the industry.
The accident has brought attention to the risks and dangers that actors face in the course of their work, particularly when filming on location. The Nollywood industry and its stakeholders are urged to prioritize safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
The late Junior Pope was born on May 7, 1984, in Bamenda, Cameroon, but moved to Nigeria at a young age. He made his debut in Nollywood in 2006 and throughout his career, he showcased his versatility by taking on diverse roles across various movie genres. He has demonstrated his acting prowess in both traditional and contemporary storylines, earning acclaim for his performances.
The industry and fans alike will deeply miss Junior Pope’s talent, dedication, and contributions to Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
As the industry mourns the loss of one of its own, it should be noted, his demise comes just weeks after that of John Okafor commonly known as Mr. Ibu.
