Junior Pope
Pope Obumneme Odonwodo[1] (May 7, 1984 – April 10, 2024), also known as Junior Pope, was a Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He started acting in 2006, appearing in the 2007 film Secret Adventures, along with the 2010 film Bitter Generation.
Early life and education[change | change source]
Odonwodo was born in Bamenda, Cameroon, on May 7, 1984[2][3] to his father Luke Odonwodo who is apart of the Igbo ethnic group, and a Cameroonian mother.[4][5] He lived in Bamenda with his parents[6] until he moved to Nigeria, for his primary and secondary education. He was the only child of his parents.[7]
Described by Isaiah Ogedegbe as "one of the most talented actors in Nigeria",[8] he was popular all over the world and won multiple awards.
He was said to have "made a remarkable impact during his lifetime".[9] He was also said to have "touched so many lives".[9]
Death[change | change source]
While Pope took part in a movie shoot titled "The Other Side of Life",[10] during a movie location journey his boat capsized in a river accident which initially claimed the lives of three other crew members and later claimed his own life.[1] He died on April 10, 2024,[1] just one month before his 40th birthday.[10]
A week later, Nigerian actress Angela Okorie had a public dispute with another Nigerian actor Zubby Michael whom she had described as "a wicked person", because he seemed to have hesitated posting a tribute in honour of the late Junior Pope.[11]
Okorie had earlier criticized some of her colleagues for posting "their hypocritical tributes to Junior Pope".[12]
Yet, this same set of people "never celebrated Junior Pope while he was alive".[13]
According to Isaiah Ogedegbe, the propensity some people have for always posting tributes whenever a person dies underscores the fact that: "Nigerians love celebrating the dead while taking the living for granted".[12]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "BREAKING: Tragedy Hits Nollywood Again As Actor Junior Pope Dies At 39". Leadership News. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Okiki, Adeduyite (10 April 2024). "UPDATED: Junior Pope, three other Nollywood actors die in boat accident at age 39". The Punch. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ "Junior Pope Njoku". Nolly Wire. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Rachael, Omidiji (11 April 2024). "10 things to know about Nollywood actor, Junior Pope". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Friday, Omasala (10 April 2024). "Actor Jnr Pope who reportedly drowned resuscitated". Premium Times. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ "Nollywood Actor, Jnr Pope Is dead at 39". The Fact Daily. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Mercy, Olatunji (23 December 2020). "Biography of Nollywood actor Junior Pope and other facts about him". DNB Africa. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ↑ Ogedegbe, Evelyn (15 April 2024). "Isaiah Ogedegbe Mourns Nollywood Actor Junior Pope". The Warri Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ogedegbe, Isaiah (17 April 2024). "Isaiah Ogedegbe Pays Tribute to Late Junior Pope". The Warri Times. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ogedegbe, Isaiah (13 April 2024). "Nollywood Actor Junior Pope Dies at 39, After Boat Capsized in a River Accident". The Warri Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "You don't celebrate people when they are alive or when they win, everyone knows you're wicked - Actress Angela Okorie drags colleague, Zubby Michael". Linda Ikeji's Blog. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Junior Pope: The 'Mugubriosity' of Being Unsung While Alive and Being Celebrated at Death -By Isaiah Ogedegbe". NGGOSSIPS.com. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ↑ Fasan, Yewande (15 April 2024). "Angela Okorie calls out colleagues for 'fake' tributes to Junior Pope". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 20 April 2024.