Emeka Rollas Ejezie, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has confirmed the passing of renowned Nollywood actor Obumneme Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope.
Mr. Rollas confirmed this in a post on his Facebook account on Wednesday, April 11.
This comes after his previous confirmation that the actor was alive following rumors of his death going viral.
“What God cannot do does not exist. Junior Pope is alive. He is taking treatment in the hospital,” Emeka said in his earlier confirmation.
However, in his latest post, Emeka stated that his previous post was made out of excitement when they noticed Junior Pope’s tingling fingers.
“It is 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 best.
“We have finally lost him.
“Mr. Friday’s body has been identified but three other bodies have not been found,” Emeka wrote on his Facebook account.
Earlier, reports spread that Junior Pope had drowned after the boat he and some movie crew members were on capsized in the River Niger.
Following the viral news, another story emerged that when they took Junior Pope to the mortuary, the mortuary attendant said the actor had not died.
However, with the latest confirmation from the AGN president, fans have taken to social media again, just like the first time the news of his death broke, to mourn the renowned actor.
Apart from Junior Pope, four other crew members also lost their lives due to the accident, according to AGN, and they have identified the deceased body of one Mr. Friday.
Junior Pope’s death: AGN’s actions
AGN has suspended until further notice all movies involving riverine areas and boat riding due to the accident that claimed the lives of their colleagues.
They also stated that no shooting will take place at any location nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
AGN has also suspended the movie titled “Another Side of Life” until further notice. This is the movie in which Junior Pope and others who lost their lives were shooting in Delta State.
“No actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer until further notice. While we continue to search for the bodies of the remaining persons, may their souls rest in peace,” AGN said in their statement signed by Emeka.
On the day of the boat accident, the last post Junior Pope made on his Instagram account was about how actors risk their lives to entertain their fans.
Junior said he was crossing the River Niger on Tuesday, April 9, without a life jacket and added that he has three children whom he will raise.
“It’s only them they’ve given birth to, it’s only me they’ve given birth to, I have three children I will raise them, I have three children I will raise them, oh brothers please, oh Jesus what is this, brothers please, oh please…
“Please take it easy… See the risks we take, people, to entertain you, live and direct on River Niger,” Junior Pope said.
Who is Junior Pope?
Junior Pope hails from Ukehe, Enugu State, and is the sixth among eight children born to his parents, who are from Bamenda, Cameroon.
His father is a trader, and his mother left Nigeria for Cameroon during the civil war.
Junior Pope attended primary and secondary school in Cameroon before returning to Nigeria for university education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The Nollywood actor graduated with a degree in Accounting but started acting in Nollywood movies in 2006.
In 2007, he gained fame after his role in “Secret Adventures,” directed by Tchidi Chikere.
He has acted in over 100 Nollywood films such as “Secret Adventures,” “Vengeance of Bullet,” “The Cat,” “Mad Sex,” “Bitter Generation,” “The Generals,” “Wrong Initiation,” among others.
In 2010, he won his first award as the Most Promising Nollywood Actor from the Entertainment Factory Awards.
He is known for playing antagonist roles such as a criminal, villain, armed robber, militant, and hitman. He has acted alongside other actors like Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, and Jerry Amilo.
Junior Pope married his long-time girlfriend in 2014, Jennifer Awele, whom he met on Facebook, and she is the mother of his three boys.
In 2021, Junior Pope thanked God that he and his family did not die in a fire incident that occurred at their house at midnight.
“Join Me In Thanking God Ooooooooo. My house almost caught fire while my family was sleeping. But God intervened. My hands are clean Oooooooooooo, (Akam di Ocha). God is the Greatest. My family and I are safe,” he said.
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