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The peace in Nollywood, and by extension, a big a part of the nation, was shattered on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, when a well-liked actor, Pope Odonwodo, popularly often called Junior Pope, and three others have been confirmed useless when the boat they have been travelling in after getting back from a film set capsized in Asaba, Delta State.
A visit of no return
Doing what he is aware of how one can do finest, the actor was engaged on a film titled, ‘The Different Aspect of Life’, which is produced by Adanma Luke. Apparently to get to the set, the forged and crew needed to cross the River Niger.
Whereas going to the set, Pope had made video whereas on the boat, asking the motive force to maneuver with warning. Within the video, the actor pleaded that he was an solely little one, and that he had three younger kids, who he wished to boost himself. This was at the same time as he advised his followers that actors typically took dangers of their bid to entertain them.
He had mentioned, “Please, cut back the velocity. I’m the one little one of my dad and mom. I’ve three kids that I would like to boost.”
Nonetheless, upon getting back from the identical film set, that which Pope feared really occurred, because it turned out to be his final journey ever. He and three different members of the movie crew misplaced their lives when the boat capsized.
Confusion as actor was rumoured to nonetheless be alive
Shortly after the information of his loss of life initially went viral, hopes have been raised when information additionally circulated that Pope had regained consciousness.
In an Instagram put up, Emeka Rollas, who’s the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, had written, “What God can’t do doesn’t exist. Junior Pope is alive. He takes (sic) therapy within the hospital.”
In keeping with rumours that unfold like wildfire on-line, a mortuary attendant was mentioned to have introduced the actor to the morgue that he was nonetheless alive. One other actor who was on the scene, Stanley, later made a video, stating that Pope was being taken to the waterside for some rituals to be carried out for him to return again to life.
Nonetheless, as nervousness continued to rise, Rollas deleted his earlier put up, plunging the actor’s followers and Nigerians into additional confusion as regards the actor’s situation.
Some hours later, it was lastly revealed that Pope had died. Rollas said that his earlier announcement that Pope was alive was out of pleasure, once they seen the tingling of his fingers.
He wrote, “It’s so unhappy that our pleasure was short-lived. My first put up was out of pleasure once we seen his tingling fingers. Two notable hospitals tried their finest to revive him, however to no avail. God is aware of one of the best. We lastly misplaced him.”
Jerry Amilo bashed for posting video of Pope’s stays
Amidst the drama on-line, an actor, Jerry Amilo, acquired extreme bashing for posting a video of Pope’s lifeless physique on a hospital mattress, with cotton wool used to dam his nostrils.
Within the mentioned video, Amilo could possibly be seen standing by the mattress with Rollas and one other actress.
Making a u-turn, Amilo later made an apology video the subsequent day. He mentioned, “I’m making this video as a result of my consideration has been referred to as by followers who’ve been with me by thick and skinny concerning the put up I made regarding Junior Pope’s demise. Those that know me are conscious that I don’t chase clout. It’s only a pity that the put up obtained to individuals the way in which it did. I made the put up to clear the confusion of individuals calling and questioning if he has actually handed away or not. My intention was by no means to chase clout, I’m a realist and if the put up harm individuals, I’m sorry.”
Anger over non-use of life jackets
Because the unhappy actuality of the loss of life of Pope and the others started to daybreak on many, a number of questions have been raised; essentially the most outstanding being that why did the actors and crew members cross such an expansive river with out life jackets.
Some additionally questioned why cardiopulmonary resuscitation was not instantly carried out on the actor when he was introduced out of the water, and why he was first taken to the morgue and a local physician, as a substitute of a hospital.
Nonetheless, an actor and one of many survivors, TC Okafor, claimed that because the boat experience started, he sprayed some money and smooth drink into the water for appeasement.
In keeping with him, solely the director and DOP wore life jackets on the boat.
Nonetheless, some additionally claimed that in keeping with the customs of the world, noise shouldn’t have been made whereas travelling on the water on a market day. It was alleged that Okafor had rang a bell whereas on the boat; an act that’s allegedly thought of a taboo.
Expatiating on how the accident occurred, Okafor mentioned, “I requested them to place their telephones of their pockets, however after some time, Pope began making a video. Because the video was happening, the captain who was behind Junior Pope, was extra targeted on his head showing within the video that Pope was making. I seen a small canoe forward of our boat, and I used to be telling the captain to be careful for it. However, as a result of the captain had earphones on and was probably enjoying music, he didn’t hear me speaking. By the point he heard and noticed the canoe, it was too late. Our boat hit the tail finish of the canoe and capsized.”
He added that he survived as a result of he held onto the rope of the boat because it capsized. He additionally said that some individuals who witnessed the accident shortly rushed to save lots of them with their boats.
Celebs blame poor requirements on film units
As colleagues and followers of the deceased continued to mourn, many actors decried the poor requirements which can be a norm in most film units.
Angered by the lack of the gifted people, an actress, Sarah Martins, blamed Luke for his or her deaths. She wrote, “Lastly we misplaced him! Very low price range film making an attempt to boost native requirements with out offering the mandatory facilities! Now we’ve misplaced a star, a father, a son, a brother, a husband and harmless crew members hustling to feed their households. Adanma Luke, you do that one (sic).”
Nonetheless, reacting to Martin’s put up, one other actress, Future Etiko, berated her stating that it was not the proper time to begin pointing fingers. She wrote, “There may be time for every thing, Sarah. That is completely incorrect.”
Additionally reacting to the unhappy information, in style actress, Ini Edo wrote, “Junior Pope didn’t should sacrifice his life for Nollywood to grasp the necessity for a protracted and far wanted regulatory construction that may safeguard a complete manufacturing. The system has to endure a complete overhaul with sensible guidelines and rules that cater to everybody in circumstances of emergencies, Relaxation on brother, this one cuts actually deep.”
AGN, DGN react
Within the wake of the deaths, there have been various reactions from completely different stakeholders within the business, together with the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and Director’s Guild of Nigeria.
Evidently as a manner of mourning the deceased, the AGN ordered that there must be no actions on set on Thursday, April 11. This was even because it slammed a ban on Adanma Luke.
It launched an announcement, which learn partially, “Following the tragic boat mishap that claimed the lifetime of Mr John Paul Odonwodo, aka Junior Pope, and 4 different crew members on the waterside of River Niger, Asaba, on a film set titled, ‘The Different Aspect of Life’, produced by Adamma Luke, the management of the guild has taken the next choices:
All movies that contain riverine areas and boat using are hereby suspended indefinitely. No shoot on all places nationwide on Thursday eleventh April 2024.
“Additionally, the movie titled, ‘One other Aspect of Life’, is suspended indefinitely. No actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer until additional discover.”
On its half, the DGN vowed to launch an inquiry into the unlucky incident. An announcement signed by Victor Okhai, the President of the Administrators Guild of Nigeria and Chairman of the Federation of Nollywood Guilds and Affiliation, learn, “It’s with a heavy coronary heart that we acquired the information of the tragic demise of a few of our members in a ship mishap.
“The loss of life of actor, Junior Pope and three different crew members— Abigail Frederick (Vice Chairman CDGN, Akwa Ibom State, and make-up artist), Treasured Oforum (sound man) and Joseph Anointing (Gaffer), who have been on the on the set of Adamma Luke’s ‘The Different Aspect of Life’ is little question one tragedy too many.
“We sympathise with their relations and their varied associations. and promise to launch an inquiry into the reason for this tragedy.”
Tributes galore
Paying tributes to Pope, veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, wrote, “How can I sleep properly, writing one other condolence message a number of weeks after my different colleagues handed on. Now, it’s for my son, ‘Ikenga’, within the rested sequence, ‘Professor Johnbull’ by Globacom.
“Yesterday’s brouhaha about waking up and dying, solely confirmed how a lot Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike prayed for Junior Pope to stay. There are a lot of questions to boost on this unlucky and tragic incident.
“The loss of life of Pope and different colleagues may have been averted with simply minimal requirements of acceptable operational tips for practitioners within the completely different guilds of the business. The film business wants hygienic sanitation and inside cleaning from non-professional conduct. Actors, massive or small ought to perceive that they don’t seem to be superhuman.
“Let me use this chance to name on the AGN President, Emeka Rollas, to difficulty a declaration to all producers who don’t work to skilled engagement requirements, i.e. involvement in sexual harassment, amassing cash to forged for roles, who don’t feed artistes, who forged actors solely on possession of automobiles, non-payment of artiste charges and many others to order. To the bereaved households, I lengthen my condolences. Could their souls relaxation in peace. Oh Lord, please, grant us some respite.”
One other colleague, Jim Iyke, wrote, “Pricey lord, I’m no stranger to devastating loss. I can’t dare query your will however my coronary heart is so heavy with too many questions. Phrases fail me. To the giver and taker of life, I give up, however this one is a unique ache—a unique loss, damaged in methods I don’t even perceive. Relaxation with God, JP.”
Film producer and actress, Ruth Kadiri, additionally wrote, “My coronary heart is damaged. As filmmakers, all of us are responsible of taking sure dangers for this job. Actually, getting residence at 3am is nearly a norm on this enterprise. I can’t throw stones; I can’t ask why. It is a name to remind us that zeal doesn’t save lives. JP, might God obtain your soul, and grant your loved ones the center to bear the loss!”
A Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah, additionally wrote on her Instagram web page, “RIP Junior Pope and the crew members. That is actually unhappy. Could we not die in pursuit of our each day bread.”
In her tribute, Rita Dominic wrote, “Generally, one can’t even discover the proper phrases. However who’re we mere mortals to query God? Could their souls and all of the souls of the devoted departed relaxation in peace, amen.”
Additionally paying tributes to the late actor, his colleague, Nosa Rex, wrote, “My hope was raised once I heard you made it. The information made my thoughts swell. Afterwards, my hope crashed once more. You died earlier than you died. For now, relaxation in peace, my brother. The individual you may have advised to inform your story will when the time is true.”
One other actor, Dave Ogbeni, wrote, “On the day earlier than the accident, we have been ingesting collectively after watching the Arsenal/Bayern Munich match. He mentioned, ‘Dave, I believe it’s time I advised the bloggers my story’. I mentioned, ‘Bro, it hasn’t obtained to that. We will settle this with out the world figuring out. He seemed me within the eyes and mentioned what do you imply, since December? I’m dying regularly and also you’re telling me to not inform the world? If I die, you can be the one to inform the world my story’. Then, he died the subsequent day.”
The household man
Except for his appearing profession, what just isn’t doubtful is that Pope was a dedicated household man, who cared deeply about his three sons and spouse, Jennifer Awele, who’s the director of an occasion administration and planning firm referred to as, Dope.
In most of his interviews, he doesn’t cover the truth that the welfare of his household is his precedence, and this was buttressed by what he mentioned about elevating his three kids within the final video he made earlier than his loss of life.
He normally posts their photos and movies on his social media pages, and likes to spend time with them.
He has additionally spoken about how his spouse helped him to extend his incomes since their marriage in 2014. In an Instagram put up on January 20, 2022, whereas celebrating her birthday, he wrote, “Comfortable Birthday to the lady whose blessings took me from incomes N10,000/N15,000 in Nollywood to a whole lot of 1000’s.”
Reacting to some feedback in regards to the cash he sprayed on her birthday, Pop mentioned, “The cash I sprayed on her (on her birthday) was the cash she blessed me with. The cash got here from her blessings, as a result of if she had not blessed me together with her prayers, and agreed to marry me, undoubtedly that cash may not have come. It was due to the love I’ve for her, and the truth that she has contributed immensely to my progress as an actor.”
On one other event, he added that he all the time carried her alongside in all his choices. In one other interview, he famous that he was current for the start of all his kids, and makes use of each alternative he will get to spend time with them. He mentioned, “Each time I’m at residence, the youngsters know that I’m for them. I make sure that I make up for the times I had been away.”
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