How Nigerian actor Junior Pope begged boat captain to slow down before death
The Nigerian entertainment industry is in mourning following the tragic demise of talented actor Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope.
The actor lost his life in a boat accident.
Just hours before the fatal accident, Junior Pope had shared a video on his Instagram account, depicting him riding on a boat.
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In the footage, the actor could be seen engaging with the boat captain, expressing concern and urging him to reduce speed.
“See me lamenting… The risk we take to entertain you; crossing River Niger yesterday with no life jacket… Na wahoooooo… Who does that?” Pope captioned the video, highlighting the dangers involved in his line of work.
In the video, Junior Pope humorously pleaded with the boat captain, emphasising that he was an only child responsible for raising three children.
Despite his light-hearted tone, the underlying concern for safety was evident.
“I got three children, who will raise them? I beg, Oh Jesus, what is this? Don’t speed. See the risk we take to entertain you. Live and direct on River Niger,” he said.
“I am begging the captain that I’m the only child and I have three boys, I will raise them. Calm down with the speed.”
The devastating news of Junior Pope’s passing was confirmed by Emeka Rollas, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).
Rollas expressed profound sadness over the loss, revealing the actor’s valiant fight for survival after the accident.
“It is so so sad that our joy was short-lived. Two notable hospitals tried their best to revive him but to no avail,” Rollas lamented in a statement.
Junior Pope’s untimely death occurred while he was returning from a movie shoot titled ‘The Other Side Of Life.’
The actor leaves behind his wife Jeniffer Awele and three sons.
Born in Bamenda, Cameroon, on May 7th, 1984, Junior Pope later relocated to Nigeria, where he began his acting career in 2006.
May his soul rest in peace.