Nollywood Mourns as Junior Pope is Laid to Rest

Nollywood, the vibrant film industry in Nigeria, has been plunged into mourning as it bid farewell to one of its beloved actors, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope. The actor, who was involved in a tragic boat accident on April 10, 2024, passed away alongside three of his colleagues while on their way to a movie set.

Junior Pope, born on May 7, 1981, in Bamenda, Cameroon, to a Nigerian father and a Cameroonian mother, was a versatile actor and film producer. He began his acting career in 2006 and rose to fame after starring in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures” in 2007. Over the years, he acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies, including “Mad sex,” “Bitter Generation,” “Vengeance of Bullet,” “The Cat,” “The Generals,” “Wrong Initiation,” among others.

The news of his death sent shockwaves through the industry, with many expressing their grief and condolences. The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) confirmed his death and shared their condolences. “It is with a heavy heart that we received the news of the tragic demise of some of our members in a boat mishap. Junior Pope was a talented actor and will be greatly missed,” said Emeka Rollas, the National President of AGN.