By Rita Okoye and Damilola Fatunmise
The Nigerian movie industry is currently mourning the loss of actor John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo AKA Jnr Pope, whose tragic passing has left a deep impact.
Just a few weeks to his 40th birthday, Jnr Pope’s untimely death has elicited heartfelt condolences from fans, colleagues, and friends. Especially to the young wife and three sons he left behind.
Known for his talent and versatility on screen, Jnr. Pope’s career was marked by memorable performances in various movies and TV shows.
His sudden demise in a boating accident on the Anam River on Wednesday, April 10 has shocked the industry, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors, directors, and producers, who recognize his significant contributions to Nigerian cinema.
Here are some of the celebrities tributes curated by TS weekend.
My heart is broken – Ruth Kadiri, Filmmaker
My heart is broken over Jnr Pope’s death and that of other crew members. As a producer, as a filmmaker we all guilty of taking certain risks for this job! In fact, getting home at 3am is almost a norm in this business. I can’t throw stones. I can’t ask why. This is a call to reminder that passion doesn’t save lives. Jnr Pope may God receive your soul and grant your family the heart to bear the loss.
I will not dare question God – Jim Iyke, actor
Dear Lord, I am no stranger to devastating loss..I will not dare question your will but my heart is so heavy with many questions. Words fail me. To the giver and the taker of life, I surrender but this is a different pain, a different loss, broken in ways I don’t even understand. Rest with God JP. Rest well my dear brother.
Tragic and unfortunate – Kenneth Okonkwo, veteran actor
The tragic and unfortunate passing of this great personality and actor has jolted everyone, but particularly myself. This is one condolence message that I am very unhappy and very bitter to make. Jnr Pope has been a very cute jovial, talented, easy going responsible young man with dignified sense of humility and family life who doesn’t deserve this kind of careless and reckless end from an industry that demands and extracts the best from the actors and reward them with negligence of their basic fundamental human right of life. Why were life jackets not provided for actors riding on a River for filmmaking without any knowledge of swimming ? Why trained divers who are expert swimmers and rescuers not provided to salvage the situation in case of any mishap?
I console his immediate family,nollywood and all the teeming fans of Jnr Pope. May his gentle talented soul rest in peace.
His death is not ordinary – Chiege Alisigwe, actress
His death is not ordinary. Believe it was an accident at your own risk. Wicked people everywhere in Nollywood and all! No matter how you laugh and treat them with kindness, it’s still not enough. I have said it, and will keep saying it, No one has your interest at heart. No one cares about you. You are progressing and telling it all to people and it’s irritating the demons in them. Do your work diligently. Shoot your best shot and go home afterwards. Your safest place after work is your home. Do not sit, eat and drink on the name of one heart. Everybody is your friend but nobody is your friend in the end.
May God save us from wicked, envious and jealous people out there. Junior pope this is never your time!
This is bad for Nollywood – Yvonne Jegede, actress
I had imagined we would have a thanksgiving service. I was hoping we would flood Asaba to thank God for a second chance but God knows best.
This is bad for Nollywood. Please we should endeavor to implement safety measures on set. I know some production companies do their best to have nurses and health professionals on set but some with small budgets should please consider this and everyone on set not just actors. The boat it self isn’t good enough to go the distance. Please while we keep Jnr Pope and family in our prayers, let’s also remember others who died too. I’m so broken, this is a nightmare. Nollywood lost a rare gem!
This ordeal would have been averted – Linda John, actress
I have being trying to find the words to express the pain in my heart after I saw his lifeless body in the hospital that night but words failed me. This ordeal that claimed the life of JP and other crew members would have been averted but absolutely no safety precautions means was made available. It’s high time we begin to hold ourselves accountable in other to stop future occurrences. My heart felt sympathy goes to the families of the deceased. May God give his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
The will of God can never be countered – Rita Edochie, actress
At last, after he fought to stay alive, JP is gone. Just when I felt a renewed hope of running down my spine. The will of God can never be countered. It is still very hard to type RIP to Jnr Pope. It is really a dream, but it is well. We can’t question God almighty.
I can’t sleep well – Kanayo .O. Kanayo
How can i sleep well ,writing another condolence message a few weeks after my other colleagues passed on? Now , it’s for my son, Ikenga , in the rested series “ PROFESSOR JOHNBULL” by Globacom .
Wednesday’s brouhaha about waking up and dying, only showed how much Nigerians & Non Nigerians alike prayed for JOHN PAUL OBUMNEME ODONWODO aka Jnr. Pope to live. There are many questions to raise on this unfortunate and tragic incident.
The death of Jnr. Pope and other colleagues could have been avoided with just minimum standard acceptable operational guidelines for practitioners in the different guilds of the industry. The movie industry needs hygienic sanitation and internal cleansing from non professional conducts. All operators in the Oil and Gas industry have the Health, Safety and Environment, HSE, as their bible to ensure safety in the work place. So should it be for the entertainment industry. It’s a haram to board a boat without life vests. Actors, big or small should understand that they are not superhuman. Let me use opportunity to call on the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria President, Chief Emeka Rollas, MON, to issue a declaration to all Producers who do not work to Professional engagement standards i.e involvement in sexual harassment, collecting money to cast for roles, who do not feed artistes, who cast actors solely on ownership of cars, non payment of artiste fees etc to order. To the bereaved families, I extend my condolences. May their souls rest in peace. Oh Lord, please, grant us some respite.
Jnr Pope doesn’t deserve this – Mofe Duncan
I’m so sorry bro. The world just lost some of its light. You didn’t deserve this. Not you! Tears wouldn’t stop running. I am glad I met you bro, glad I got to work with you. Glad I got to experience your energy. Your aura was ace, top class. This is why my heart is broken, because how can you come, show us who you are, and then leave us so soon. Who does that?