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Junior Pope

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Junior Pope
Pope in 2024
Born
John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo

(1981-05-07)May 7, 1981
Bamenda, Cameroon
DiedApril 10, 2024(2024-04-10) (aged 42)
Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Alma materUniversity of Nigeria, Nsukka
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film producer
Years active2006–2024
Spouse
Jennifer Awele Okpuno
​
​
(m. 2014)​
Children3

John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo (May 7, 1981 – April 10, 2024), popularly known as Junior Pope, was a Nigerian actor and film producer who appeared in various Nollywood films, including Secret Adventures (2007), Bitter Generation (2010), and Nkoli Nwa Nsukka.

Early life and education

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Odonwodo was born on May 7, 1981, in Bamenda, Cameroon, to Luke Odonwodo, a man of Igbo descent, and his wife.[1][2][3] He later relocated to Nigeria, where he completed his primary and secondary education.[4]

Career

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After studying accounting, Odonwodo initially pursued a career in accounting but later turned to acting in 2004, starting with minor roles.[5][6] He made his debut in the 2004 film Lost in the Jungle, playing a minor part. Pope officially joined Nollywood in 2006 and began acting in 2007, with his first major film being Secret Adventure, directed by Tchidi Chikere.[7] Since then, Pope has appeared in over 100 Nigerian films, including Throne of Tears (2008), Always Mine (2009), Mad Sex, Blood Affair (2021), No Way Through (2023), Gbege (2022), and Honey Money (2023), among others.[8][9][10]

Personal life and death

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Odonwodo was a Christian and married Jennifer Awele Okpuno on July 26, 2014. They had three children together.[11] Pope died in a boat accident on the River Niger in Anambra State while traveling to Asaba, Nigeria, to shoot a movie. Three crew members also lost their lives in the incident. Initially, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) declared him alive after videos circulated online showing him on the boat and villagers attempting to revive him.[12] However, he was later officially announced dead.[13][14][15][16]

Junior Pope was widely praised for his acting talent. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State paid tribute, calling his death "heart-wrenching and unfortunate" and acknowledging him as one of Enugu's talented sons.[17]

Junior Pope was laid to rest on Friday, May 17, 2024, in his hometown of Ukehe in the Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria.[18]

Junior Pope was remembered for his humanitarian contribution to the Nigerian film industry and was also considered as "one of Nigeria's richest and most influential actors".[19]

Legacy

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Described in a BBC report as "an unexpected legacy" for Junior Pope, his drowning issue continues to be seen as having a propensity for transforming "Nollywood into a safer place to work".[20] His avoidable death still haunts the Nigerian film industry today, with concerns raised about the safety of film crew members in the face of Nollywood's unsafe working conditions, especially by Ruth Kadiri who also called for a change of practice.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Okiki, Adeduyite (April 10, 2024). "UPDATED: Junior Pope, three other Nollywood actors die in boat accident at age 39". The Punch. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Rachael, Omidiji (April 11, 2024). "10 things to know about Nollywood actor, Junior Pope". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Friday, Omasala (April 10, 2024). "Actor Jnr Pope who reportedly drowned resuscitated". Premium Times. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Mercy, Olatunji (December 23, 2020). "Biography of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and other facts about him". DNB Africa. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "The many evils of nollywood – Junior Pope Odonwodo, actor". The Sun. February 23, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Chinasa, Afigbo (July 13, 2023). ""There's a Legend Behind Every Legacy": Jnr Pope career start". Legit.ng. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Confidence, Cletus (April 10, 2024). "Nigeria: How Secret Adventure Made Me a Superstar - Junior Pope". allAfrica.com. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Sunny, Itodo (April 11, 2024). "Junior Pope: 10 things to know about late actor". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  9. ^ "Lancelot Imaseun's comeback film 'Gbege' premieres Oct 7 - starring Broda Shaggi, Ini Edo, Sam Dede and Junior Pope". TheCable Lifestyle. September 14, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "Honey Money to Debut in Cinemas". This Day Live. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  11. ^ "Everything about Nollywood actor, Junior Pope who died in boat accident while filming". Vanguard News. April 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Nurudeen, Shotayo (April 10, 2024). "Actor Jnr Pope drowns hours after he posted video on a boat". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  13. ^ "AGN makes U-turn, says actor Junior Pope unresponsive, three others missing". Vanguard News. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  14. ^ Olumide, Alake (April 11, 2024). "Junior Pope's Death: 'This Is Spiritual,' Eyewitness' Account on Boat Accident". Legit.ng. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  15. ^ EwaOluwa, Ogunbodede (April 10, 2024). "Nollywood Actor Junior Pope Dies In Boat Accident". Channels TV. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Orimemi, Victor (April 11, 2024). "OBITUARY: Junior Pope, the Cameroon-born actor who met untimely end on way to movie set". Thecable. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  17. ^ "Junior Pope: Enugu has lost one of its talented sons, says Governor Mbah". Premium Times. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  18. ^ Friday, Omosola (May 17, 2024). "Jnr Pope buried in Enugu". Premium Times=access-date=May 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Junior Pope Odonwodo Biography, Early Life, Education, Career, Family, Wife, Children, Personal Life, Social Media, Awards, Net Worth, Philanthropy And Influence". LabaranYau.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Gelbart, Hannah. "Nigerian star's drowning forces Nollywood to look at safety". BBC. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
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