The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, has confirmed that Junior Pope Odonwodo, reportedly involved in a boat accident, has been resuscitated and is alive.
Junior Pope Initially Reported Dead After Boat Capsized
Earlier news reports suggested that Junior Pope and four other actors drowned after their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra State while returning from a movie shoot. Filmmaker Sam Olatunji had confirmed the actor’s death on Instagram. Additionally, Emma Onyemeziem, the Delta State Chairperson of AGN, confirmed that authorities had taken his remains to the morgue.
Pictures circulating on social media showed Junior Pope lying seemingly lifeless on the shores of Anam River. The caption of the person who shared the image expressed deep agony for the actor who had purportedly perished risking his life at work.
Junior Pope Alive
However, Rollas confirmed Wednesday night to Premium Times Nigeria that the actor is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital, calling it a miracle. He stated:
“It is a miracle. He spent over two hours inside the water.”
Rollas also shared the news of the actor’s survival on his social media handles, writing:
“What God cannot do does not exist. Junior Pope is alive. He is taking treatment in the hospital.”
The 39-year-old actor had posted a video on Instagram, hours before the disturbing accident, showing himself and four others travelling to the movie location on a boat. In his caption, he expressed concern about the risky journey, stating:
“See me lamenting. The risk we take to entertain you: crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket…. Na wahooooo Who does that ??”
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His Nollywood Career
Junior Pope started acting in 2006, playing supporting roles in movies. He usually featured as a bodyguard, palace worker, and servant.
In 2007, Pope broke into the limelight after acting in the blockbuster movie “Secret Adventures”. He has starred in over 150 Nollywood movies including “Secret Adventures”, “Bitter Generation”, “Vengeance of Bullet”, “The Generals”, “Wrong Initiation” and more.