11th April, 2024
The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has finally confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
The Guild has also has declared Thursday as “No Shoot Day” for all Nollywood filmmakers.
This is to honour Pope who along with three crew members died in a boat mishap on Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.
Pope and the others were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.
Rollas who first denied that Pope was dead, took to his instagram page on Thursday to correct his earlier information. “It is so so sad that our joy was shortlived.
“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”.
On the suspension of the film shoots, Rollas said in a statement: “Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at waterside of River Niger Cable point Asaba on 10th of April, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding is hereby suspended indefinitely.
“No Shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, 11th April 2024 and the film titled “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,” he said.