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Once again, the Nollywood film industry finds itself plunged into mourning with the untimely passing of one of its renowned actors, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, affectionately known as Junior Pope.
At the age of 39, Junior Pope, along with three of his colleagues, tragically lost their lives on Wednesday afternoon [April 10] while returning from a movie location.
Reports indicate that the boat they were traveling in capsized in the River Niger in Asaba, Delta State, leading to their demise. Junior Pope is survived by his wife and three children.
Initially, there was confusion surrounding Junior Pope’s condition, as he was first reported alive after a few hours of the initial reports of his passing. However, he was rejected by a mortuary worker who claimed he was still alive. Subsequently, he was taken to a hospital after showing signs of life but unfortunately succumbed while receiving treatment. The Actors Guild of Nigeria confirmed his passing on Thursday morning [April 11], following a brief period of resuscitation.
Their bodies have since been recovered. Junior Pope’s last Instagram post was on Monday, where he shared a video of himself in a boat, fervently praying for a safe journey to his destination.
Junior Pope rose to prominence in 2007 after his role in “Secret Adventures,” directed by Tchidi Chikere. He appeared in over 100 Nollywood movies, including “Vengeance of Bullet,” “The Cat,” “Mad Sex,” “Bitter Generation,” “The Generals,” and “Wrong Initiation,” among others.
In 2010, he received his first award as the Most Promising Nollywood Actor from Entertainment Factory Awards.
Junior Pope’s passing adds to a series of tragedies that have struck Nollywood this year. Previously, acclaimed actors such as Mr. Ibu, Sisi Quadri, and Amaechi Muonagor passed away, while in January, it was Deji Aderemi, known as Olofa Ina. In February, Ethel Ekpe, renowned for her role as ‘Segi’ on the Nigerian Television Authority sitcom, ‘Basi and Company,’ passed away. Most recently, Adejumoke Aderounmu of Jenifa’s Diary also passed away at the age of 40.
