*Actress, Uche Elendu, Survives
THE Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has declared Thursday, April 11, as “No Shoot Day” for all Nollywood filmmakers, following the death of actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, and three other crew members, who died in a boat mishap on Anam River in Anambra State on Wednesday, April 10 while shooting a movie.
Also on the boat was actress, Uche Elendu, who is alive and receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
National President of AGN, Emeka Rollas, in a statement on Thursday, April 10, said the incident occurred on the set of a movie, titled, ‘The other side of Life,’ produced by Adamma Luke.
He stated: “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members on April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.
“No shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024, and the film, ‘The other side of Life,’ is suspended indefinitely.
“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons.
“May their souls rest in peace.”
The confirmation came after Rollas’ earlier expression of joy that Junior Pope was still alive. Taking to his Instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development, as he wrote: “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.”
Rollas, around 9.27pm on Wednesday, April 10, was quoted as saying reports showed that Junior Pope was alive, making his fans to scream for joy.
Junior Pope was presumed to be alive, as seen in a series of videos, with some people trying to resuscitate him after the boat mishap on his way from a movie location.
Earlier in a short clip, Junior Pope was seen not wearing a life jacket, saying it was one of the risks he takes to entertain his fans.
Junior Pope, in 2006 joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies, usually playing the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant and servant in movies.
He was known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hit-man roles in movies, alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku and Jerry Amilo.
In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster, Secret Adventures, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.
He acted in over 150 Nollywood movies, including Secret Adventures, Mad sex, Bitter Generation, Vengeance of Bullet, The Cat, The Generals, Wrong Initiation.
In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards; Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards and Best Actor of the Year at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, among others.
