HOPES that Nollywood actor Junior Pope Odonwodo, also known as Jnr Pope, would survive a boat accident he was involved in on Wednesday, April 10, has been dashed.
The president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, announced that he was rescued in a now-deleted post on Thursday, April 10. Rollas said the actor was alive and responding to treatment.
“What God cannot do does not exist. Junior Pope is alive. He is taking treatment in the hospital,” the post read.
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However, in the early hours of Thursday, March 11, Rollas took to his Instagram page to announce the update concerning the actor, stating that his joy was short-lived as the actor didn’t make it.
“It is so so sad that our joy was short-lived. 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,” he wrote in his post.
The deceased had gone to shoot a film titled “Another Side of Life”, produced by Adamma Luke when the boat he was travelling in capsized. He drowned with four crew members.
Prayers for the deceased revival flooded social media Thursday evening after people were made to believe that he was still alive.
Nigerians have taken to social media to mourn his demise, while some blame the death on the movie producer. Some of the reactions on X are quoted in this report.
“Nollywood, I think you all need to cease production and come together and pray seriously. This is not normal. Like what is happening??” – @adesewa_22
“Everything he was just saying shattered. No rescue team, no divers and no life jacket, the producer and director should be arrested”.-@_osime_
“I am too speechless. I cannot imagine. I cannot even speak. It feels like I know him personally. Too young. All that is in my head is the wife and kids. God, please”. – @coachjacbell
“This is too sad. I hope his family didn’t learn of his demise on the internet. God comfort his family.” -@titismeeth
Actors Guid reacts
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), through its president, Emeka Rollas, has declared April 11 “No Shoot Day” for all actors and producers in the industry and suspended Adamma Luke, the producer of the movie that led to the tragic occurrence.
“Following the tragic incident of boat mishap that claimed the life of Mr John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope and four other crew members at the waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10 April 2024 on a movie set titled ‘The other side of Life’ produced by Adanma Luke, the leadership of the Guild has taken the following decisions:
- All films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are at this moment suspended indefinitely.
- No shoot on all locations Nationwide on Thursday, 11 April 2024.
- The film titled ‘Another Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely.
- 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,” his statement read,” the guild said.
Junior Pope joined Nollywood in 2006 and rose to fame after starring in the hit movie Secret Adventures, directed by Tchidi Chikere.
He starred in over 150 Nollywood movies including, ‘Secret Adventures’ ‘Bitter Generation’, ‘Vengeance of Bullet’, ‘The Cat’, ‘The Generals’, ‘Wrong Initiation’, among others.
He won several awards, including the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards in 2010, Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy (AMA) Awards.
Multimedia journalist covering Entertainment and Foreign news