Incident Involving Nollywood Actor Jnr Pope Odonwodo

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In a recent update regarding the harrowing incident involving Nollywood actor Jnr Pope Odonwodo, Emeka Rollas, the national president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has provided assurance that the actor remains alive despite a perilous brush with death.

The unfolding drama occurred amidst the serene waters of Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Initial reports painted a grim picture, with multiple sources lamenting Pope’s demise, amplified by distressing visuals capturing his motionless form.

However, Rollas’ late-night proclamation on Wednesday shattered the veil of despair, revealing that Pope is now under medical care, actively responding to treatment. “What God cannot do does not exist. Junior Pope is alive. He is taking treatment in the hospital,” Rollas affirmed, casting a ray of hope upon the dire situation.

Tragically, the fate of two other members from the film’s production team, who reportedly succumbed to the treacherous waters, remains shrouded in uncertainty, awaiting updates on their condition.

Jnr Pope’s Near-Drowning Experience Amidst Nollywood’s Tragic Losses

The heart-wrenching turn of events transpired mere hours subsequent to Pope’s casual portrayal of a risky escapade, as depicted in a video shared on his Instagram profile. In the footage, Pope navigated turbulent waters aboard a wooden vessel, conspicuously bereft of a life-saving jacket, evidently for a scene in the ongoing movie production. “See me lamenting. The risk we take to entertain you. Crossing river 9ja yesterday with no life jacket. Na wahoooooo. Who does that?,” Jnr Pope captioned the video, inadvertently foretelling the peril that awaited him.

Jnr Pope’s untimely demise adds to the somber narrative enveloping the Nigerian film industry, which has been reeling from a succession of losses in recent times. The passing of Aderounmu Adejumoke, renowned for her portrayal of Esther in the beloved Funke Akindele series, Jenifa’s Diary, less than a week prior, compounded the industry’s grief.

This lamentable trend follows a spate of fatalities in March, which claimed the lives of three revered actors. The curtain fell on Yoruba actor Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, affectionately known as Sisi Quadri, on March 1, after a brief bout with illness. Subsequently, the entertainment realm mourned the loss of John ‘Mr Ibu’ Okafor on the ensuing day, followed by veteran actor Amaechi Muonagor’s demise on March 24, both succumbing after protracted battles with debilitating ailments.

Amidst the industry’s mourning, Pope’s survival stands as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing gloom.