Entertainment

Junior Pope confirmed dead …we finally lost him, Says AGN President

Published

3 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Junior Pope: Untold story of the boat mishap that killed 5

•Late ollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope

The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.

The late actor and three of his colleagues were coming back from a movie location in a boat when they fell into Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.

Rollas took to his instagram page on Thursday to disclose the sad development as he wrote, “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,

Mr Friday’s corpse has been identified but three other corpses are yet to be found.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Junior Pope, in 2006, joined the Nollywood industry and started attending movie auditions and acting as a minor character in movies.

He usually played the role of a bodyguard, palace attendant, and servant in movies.

In 2007, he rose to fame after acting in the Nollywood blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”, a movie directed by Tchidi Chikere.

He acted in more than 150 Nollywood movies which include: “Secret Adventures”, “Mad sex”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Cat”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” among others.

In 2010, he won the award for Nollywood Most Promising Actor in Nigeria at the Entertainment Factory Awards.

He is known for acting criminal, villain, armed robber, militant and hitman roles in movies alongside Emma Ehumadu, Sylvester Madu, Zubby Michael, Jim Iyke, Alaso Wariboko, Gentle Jack, Hanks Anuku, Jerry Amilo.

Other awards he won include 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. (NAN)

Entertainment

Junior Pope: South East filmmakers protest in Enugu

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

• Protesting Southeast filmmakers

Different groups involved in filmmaking under the auspices of South East Film Crew Welfare, Wednesday afternoon, took to the street protesting the manner five of their members died after a boat conveying them to shooting location capsized in Anambra River.

Junior Pope, Abigail Frederick, Precious Oforum, Joseph Anointing and Friday Okoroafor, all lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

Members of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN) in Enugu State and others marched on the streets of Enugu metropolis from Okpara Square, Independence Layout, through Rangers Avenue, Bissala Road and terminated at Film Arena, National Museum.

A candle light procession was slated in honour of the fallen heroes and heroines.

Their spokesperson, Jonas Onunweze, a props and set designer, condemned the treatment given to artistes and other Nollywood crew members by film producers.

Entertainment

EFCC to arraign Cubana Chief Priest over naira abuse

Published

2 weeks ago

April 16, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

• Cubana Chief Priest

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed a three-count charge against Cubana Chief Priest, a popular Instagram celebrity, who has been accused of abusing the naira, Nigeria’s currency.

Cubana, real name Pascal Okechukwu, is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday, April 17, before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Okechukwu is facing three count charges for allegedly spraying and tampering with the naira at a social event contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007.

A copy of the document filed on April 4th by EFFC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside seven other lawyers representing the chairman of the Commission read:

1- “that you, Okechukwu Pascal on 13th Feb. 2024, at Eko Hotel, within the jurisdiction of the court, while dancing during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

2 – “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in 2020, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same for two hours, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

3 – “that you Okechukwu Pascal sometime in January 2024, in Lagos during a social event, tampered with funds in the denomination of N500 (Five Hundred Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007”.

Another popular social media personality, Bobrisky was recently sentenced to six months in prison without an option of fine for abusing the naira.

Entertainment

Grieving Junior Pope’s family appeals for privacy from public

Published

3 weeks ago

April 14, 2024

Advocate News Nigeria

Junior Pope

The family of late Nollywood star, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo popularly known by his stage name, Junior Pope, has formally reacted to the sudden demise of their son, saying the circumstances of his death was “wholly avoidable.”

Junior Pope died in a boat mishap on Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 while going to movie set.

A statement issued by Dr Divine Odonwodo on behalf of the family said the funeral arrangements will be announced soon, while the relevant authorities continue with their investigations into the unfortunate incident.

Dr. Odonwodo also appealed to the public to give the family privacy “as we grieve and mourn this irreparable loss.”

The three-paragraph statement reads:

“We regret to announce the sudden death of our son, brother, husband, friend and very well loved Nollywood movie star, John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo (Junior Pope). This wholly avoidable tragedy took place on the 10th of April, 2024 at Asaba Delta State.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family. While the authorities investigate the circumstances leading to this unfortunate event, the family asks for privacy as we grieve and mourn this irreparable loss.

May his beautiful soul and the souls of all the victims of the boat accident rest in peace. Amen”

Born on May 7, 1984, in Bamenda, Cameroon, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, widely recognized as Junior Pope, is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luke Odonwodo, belong to the Ukehe tribe in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State South East Nigeria. After spending his formative years in Cameroon, Junior Pope completed his primary and secondary education before later relocating to Nigeria.

Junior Pope’s upbringing in Cameroon provided him with a diverse cultural background and experiences that influenced his personal and professional life.

After completing his education in Cameroon, he made the transition to Nigeria, where he embarked on his journey in the entertainment industry. His multicultural upbringing serves as a significant aspect of his identity and has contributed to shaping his perspective as an actor and public figure.

After completing his college education, Junior Pope attended the University of Nigeria Nsukka in Enugu State, where he graduated with a degree in Accountancy.