LAGOS,Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) The Actors Guild of Nigeria has confirmed the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo aka Jnr Pope.
The late actor and three of his colleagues were returning from a movie location in a boat when they fell into the Anam River in Anambra on Wednesday.
In a circular released on the Actors Guild of Nigeria’s (AGN) Instagram page on Thursday, the guild announced the suspension of all film productions involving riverine areas and boat rides following the tragic boat accident.
They also announced that actors are barred from participating in any film produced by Adanma Luke, the producer of the movie titled “The other side of life,” in which Junior Pope was starring before his death.
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The AGN statement read, “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 April 10, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.
“There should be no shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
“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.”
National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, paid tribute to late actor on his instagram page while addressing initial reports on Pope’s condition.
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Rollas clarified that although he previously announced Pope was alive when they noticed the tingling of his fingers, he eventually succumbed after efforts to revive him failed.
He revealed that three other corpses are yet to be found.
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.’’