Junior Pope Odonwodo, a celebrated Nigerian actor and filmmaker, tragically lost his life in a fatal boat accident while returning from a movie shoot on Wednesday.
The 39-year-old actor drowned in the Anam River in Anambra after their boat collided with another vessel. Unfortunately, some of the crew members’ bodies remain unrecovered.
Upon noticing signs of life, Junior Pope was swiftly taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Asaba, but despite efforts to revive him, he did not survive.
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, confirmed this devastating news late on Wednesday, retracting an earlier denial. Rollas expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
A circulating video captured the actor’s final moments, where he expressed concerns to the boat driver about speed due to his responsibilities as an only child supporting a family.
In response to this tragedy, the AGN declared a “No Shoot Day” and suspended all movie productions involving riverine areas and boat rides indefinitely.
They also advised against collaborating with the producer of the ill-fated movie, “The Other Side of Life,” Adanma Luke.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.
