Nigerian actor Junior Pope’s week-long funeral preparations
By Elizabeth NgigiThe family of late Nollywood actor, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, has begun a week-long series of burial preparations.
The 43-year-old actor lost his life in a boat accident on April 10, while on his way to the set of a movie titled ‘The Other Side Of Life’.
He drowned along with other crew members after their boat capsized.
His death was confirmed by the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Junior Pope will be buried on Friday, May 17, 2024.
The funeral schedule began on April 23 with a requiem mass.
Another Requiem Mass was held on Monday, May 13, followed by an evening of tributes and a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, May 14.
The final funeral mass will be held on Friday, May 17 at St Peter’s Parish in Ukehe, where the actor will be laid to rest.
He is survived by his wife, Jeniffer Awele, and three sons.
Just hours before the accident, Junior Pope shared a video on his Instagram account showing him on a boat.
In the footage, the actor can be seen engaging with the boat’s captain, expressing his concern and urging him to slow down.
“See me lamenting… The risk we take to entertain you; crossing the Niger River yesterday without a life jacket… Na wahoooooo… Who does that?” Pope captioned the video.
In the video, Junior Pope makes a humorous plea to the boat captain, pointing out that he is an only child and has three children to raise.
Despite his light-hearted tone, the underlying concern for safety was evident.
“I have three children, who will raise them? I beg you, oh Jesus, what is this? Don’t drive too fast. Look at the risk we take to entertain you. Live and direct on the Niger,” he said.
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