Enugu State Government Mourns Junior Pope, Opens Condolence Register

The Enugu State Government has set up a register of condolence for Nigerians to express their sympathies and pay homage to the talented Nollywood actor, Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, who tragically lost his life in a boating accident.

Governor Peter Mbah expressed profound sorrow over the sudden passing of the Nollywood legend, labeling it as ‘heartbreaking’.

According to a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, the condolence register will be available for signing at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Information and Communication, State Secretariat, Enugu starting from Monday, April 15, 2024.

The statement reads:

“Indeed, the death of Jnr. Pope came at a time Enugu State is working so hard to develop the creative potentials of its youth for self-reliance, as employers of labour and export of their talents outside the shores of Nigeria.

“Governor Mbah expresses deep grief that the late star and other young, talented Nigerians could lose their lives in such an unfortunate circumstance.

“The governor, therefore, commiserates with the bereaved families, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), and the entire Nollywood industry over the painful loss of their members in the boat accident.

“Meanwhile, those who may not get to the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communication, may use the following email address for their tributes:[email protected] to express their condolences,” the Commissioner said.

In response to the heartbreaking incident, Stanley, who was present during the tragedy and assisted in rushing Junior Pope to the hospital in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, has called for the immediate arrest of the producer and the boat driver, who reportedly survived.

In a statement on his Instagram page on Thursday, Stanley criticized Nollywood producers, labeling them as the worst in the entertainment industry, particularly those in Asabawood.

He pointed out their tendency to underpay and mistreat movie cast and crew, warning that actors who voice their concerns on set are quickly blacklisted.

He wrote:

Arrest the producer. Arrest the boat driver. Nollywood producers are the worst part of producers in the entertainment. They like managing funds on cast and crew.

“If you complain too much on set, you will be blacklisted immediately. Nollywood; no love for one another, especially Asabawood.”

Rollas, in a statement released on Thursday, made it known that the movie being filmed was indefinitely suspended following the tragic incident.

Additionally, he imposed a ban on actors working with Adamma Luke as a producer until further notice. Furthermore, Rollas announced the indefinite suspension of any film that involves riverine areas and boat riding.