The burial ceremony of the late prominent Nollywood actor Obumneme Odonwodo, also known as Junior Pope, is currently ongoing in Enugu State.

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In April 2024, reports emerged that Junior Pope drowned after the boat he and some movie crew members were in capsized on the River Niger on April 10, 2024. The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas Ejezie, confirmed Junior Pope's death on his Facebook account on Wednesday, April 11.

The burial arrangements began on Monday, May 13, 2024, with a Mass held for him at Christ the King Parish in Enugu State. On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, an Evening of Tributes and Candle Light ceremony was organized for the late Junior Pope. The wake was held on Thursday at his hometown, Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukka. Junior Pope’s body will be laid to rest on Friday after all the funeral rites have been completed.

Many prominent people and fans are mourning the death of Junior Pope. In April, Junior Pope was on a movie shoot and took a boat with other crew members, but it ended in tragedy when the boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of more than three people.

According to reports, Junior Pope shared a video on a boat on Wednesday morning before the accident. He and three of his colleagues were returning from a movie location when they fell into the Anam River in Anambra State. Emeka Rollas, the President of the Actors Guild, confirmed the incident, stating, "It is true, Junior Pope died today in Asaba in a boat accident. We have deposited his corpse in a mortuary in Asaba. Four other people were involved but their bodies are yet to be recovered."

Filmmaker Sam Olatunji also announced Junior Pope's death on Wednesday, writing on his Instagram page, "Junior Pope passes on. Sad day for Nollywood. Four actors including Jnr Pope fell into Anam River on their way to location and their bodies have been recovered. What a sad day for Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."

Junior Pope is survived by his wife and three children.

Nollywood Mourns the Tragic Loss of Junior Pope: A Detailed Report

The Nollywood community and fans are in deep mourning following the tragic death of prominent actor Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope. His untimely demise has sent shockwaves throughout the industry and beyond, as he was widely regarded as a talented and beloved figure in Nigerian cinema.

On April 10, 2024, reports emerged that Junior Pope had drowned after the boat he and some movie crew members were in capsized on the River Niger. The tragic incident occurred while they were returning from a movie location. According to multiple sources, Junior Pope and three of his colleagues were on their way back from a shoot when their boat encountered difficulties and capsized, plunging its occupants into the treacherous waters of the Anam River in Anambra State.

Despite efforts to rescue them, the incident resulted in multiple fatalities. The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas Ejezie, confirmed the heartbreaking news on his Facebook account on Wednesday, April 11. In his post, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended condolences to the actor's family and fans.

"We finally lost him," Rollas wrote, acknowledging the pain felt by the entire Nollywood community. He further confirmed that Junior Pope's body had been recovered and deposited in a mortuary in Asaba, Delta State. "Four other people were involved but their bodies are yet to be recovered," he added, highlighting the ongoing search efforts for the other victims.

The burial arrangements for Junior Pope commenced on Monday, May 13, 2024, with a solemn Mass held at Christ the King Parish in Enugu State. The Mass was attended by family members, friends, colleagues, and fans who gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the life of the late actor.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, an Evening of Tributes and Candle Light ceremony was organized in honor of Junior Pope. The event was a poignant reminder of the impact he had on those around him, both personally and professionally. Colleagues and friends shared heartfelt stories and memories, painting a picture of a man who was not only a talented actor but also a cherished friend and family member.

The wake was held on Thursday at his hometown, Uwala Abaka, Ukehe, in Nsukka, where the community came together to support the grieving family. The final funeral rites were completed on Friday, culminating in Junior Pope’s body being laid to rest. The burial was marked by an outpouring of grief and tributes, with many prominent figures in Nollywood and other well-wishers in attendance.

Junior Pope hailed from Ukehe, Enugu State, and was the sixth of eight children born to his parents in Bamenda, Cameroon. His father was a trader, and his mother had moved to Cameroon from Nigeria during the civil war. Junior Pope attended primary and secondary school in Cameroon before returning to Nigeria for his university education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He graduated with a degree in Accounting but soon found his true calling in acting.

He started his acting career in 2006 and quickly made a name for himself with his debut role in "Secret Adventures," directed by Tchidi Chikere, in 2007. This role catapulted him to fame and established him as a household name in Nollywood. Over the years, Junior Pope appeared in over 100 Nollywood films, including notable titles such as "Vengeance of Bullet," "The Cat," "Mad Sex," "Bitter Generation," "The Generals," and "Wrong Initiation," among others.

In 2010, he won his first award as the Most Promising Nollywood Actor from the Entertainment Factory Awards, a testament to his exceptional talent and potential.

The news of Junior Pope's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and industry stakeholders. Filmmaker Sam Olatunji was among those who expressed their sorrow, writing on Instagram, "Junior Pope passes on. Sad day for Nollywood. Four actors including Jnr Pope fell into Anam River on their way to location and their bodies have been recovered. What a sad day for Nollywood. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Multiple sources confirm this sad development to us."

Fans have taken to social media to express their grief and share memories of the actor's performances that touched their lives. The loss of Junior Pope is being felt deeply across Nigeria and beyond, as he was not only a talented actor but also a vibrant personality who brought joy to many through his work.

Junior Pope is survived by his wife and three children, who now face the daunting task of moving forward without their beloved husband and father. The Nollywood community stands with them in their time of sorrow, offering support and condolences.

The death of Junior Pope is a significant loss to Nollywood and his fans. As the industry mourns, the legacy of his work and the joy he brought to many will continue to be remembered and cherished. His contributions to Nigerian cinema and the impact he made on those who knew him personally and professionally ensure that his memory will live on.