The Nigerian film industry was plunged into mourning yesterday following the death of Pope Obumneme Odonwodo (aka Junior Pope). Pope died alongside three crew members, after their boat capsized in the River Niger Cable Point Asaba on Wednesday.
They were on their way to the set of a movie titled: ‘The Other Side of Life’ produced by Adamma Luke when they met their untimely death. The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) National President Ejezie Rollas said: “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.” Moments before the tragic incident, Junior Pope posted a video on his Instagram page on Wednesday, while he was on a boat without a life jacket, frantically begging the captain to go slowly.
He said: “I am an only child and I have three children to raise.” Pope wrote: “See me lamenting… The risk we take to entertain you; crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket… Na wahoooooo… Who does that?” The candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year’s presidential poll, Mr. Peter Obi, lamented Pope’s death, saying it was another great loss to the entertainment industry. Obi described Pope as an energetic actor, who comically delivered entertainment and educated Nigerians.
He wrote on his X handle: “I am shocked by the reports of the death of yet another vibrant Nollywood actor, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly called Junior Pope. “Our entertainment industry, and indeed our dear nation, is once again thrown into mourning, by the death of this young talented actor.
“His death is yet another great loss to the entertainment industry which has in recent years risen to become a most vibrant sector of our social and economic life.” Ex-Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President Ejike Asiegbu said: “It is a sad day for Nollywood.
This is one death too many. “I am still downcast, in shock. It is very unfortunate that there were not wearing life jackets. “It is unfortunate. Producers should learn from this. Life jackets should have been provided.” AGN also declared ‘No Shoot Day’, and suspended production of the ill-fated movie. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) yesterday lamented the death of film actors Saratu Gidado and John Paul Odonwodo aka Junior Pope within the week. Managing Director Ali Nuhu described their passing as heart-wrenching for colleagues and film industry stakeholders.
