John Paul Obumneme Odonwodo, often known as Junior Pope, was a Nigerian actor and film producer born in Bamenda, Cameroon, who captivated audiences with his irresistible appeal and indisputable acting abilities.
If you’re a genuine Nollywood fan, you’ve probably been following Junior Pope since the early 2000s.
Until his death, he was a super Nigerian actor and movie producer who began his career in 2006. He appeared in “Secret Adventures” in 2007, “Bitter Generation” in 2010, and “Nkoli Nwa Nsukka.” This Junior Pope biography tells you everything you need to know about him.
Junior Pope Biography: Early Life of Junior Pope
Junior Pope was born Pope Obumneme Odonwodo on May 7, 1984, to parents from Enugu State. He is from Ukehe, Enugu State, Nigeria, but was born in Bamenda, Cameroon.
Junior Pope spent his early childhood and basic and secondary education in Bamenda, Cameroon, with his parents before moving to Nigeria to pursue a degree in accounting at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
He was the sixth of his parents’ eight children and the only son. Junior Pope’s parents fled Enugu to Bamenda, Cameroon, during the civil war to avoid death, and they have remained and established themselves in Cameroon after the war ended. Junior Pope returned to Nigeria in the early 2000s to attend university.
Career
Junior Pope began his acting career in 2006 while attending the University of Nigeria. He entered the film industry and appeared in several short films before becoming a renowned actor. Junior Pope’s big break came in Tchidi Chikere’s 2007 hit Secret Adventure, where he played a key role. Junior Pope has since appeared in films alongside Gentle Jack, Jim Iyke, and some others.
Junior Pope’s filmography includes Amazon Prime’s “No Way Through,” “Honey Money,” “Sin,” “Dark Love,” “Sisters at War,” and a variety of others.
Before his death, the Nollywood star portrayed a villain in the majority of his films.
Junior Pope cause of death
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the boat tragedy that killed actor Junior Pope and four others on April 10 in the Anam River.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released a preliminary report on the boat tragedy that killed actor Junior Pope and four others on April 10 in the Anam River.
In a report released on Friday, May 24, and given by its head, Capt. Alex Baden, the agency stated that it was not officially alerted of the accident but learned about it through social media.
According to the NSIB, investigators from the Enugu Regional Office were called to the accident location on April 12, 2024. It stated that its inquiry revealed that the driver of the ill-fated boat was not certified.
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“There was only one person in the wooden fishing canoe. The rowdiness on the boat distracted the driver, and he did not look out as required. The boat approached the crossing canoe at high speed, and the canoe’s occupant jumped into the river to escape. The boat collided with the canoe at high speed, causing the boat to capsize and throwing everyone onboard into the Anam River, according to the director.
Contrary to the movie producer’s claim that they were issued with life jackets, the investigation said that only one passenger on the boat had a life jacket and survived the boat catastrophe.
The NSIB said that the boat operator did not offer the life jacket.
“Only one of the passengers on the outboard engine fiber boat wore a life jacket. The only passenger wearing a life jacket brought it with him and was not provided by the operator. The passenger in the life jacket was one of the survivors. The boat was equipped with an outboard engine. There was no manifest of passengers and crew on the boat. The rescue operation was not timely, and there were no trained divers available to assist in the operation.”
In its safety recommendations, the bureau recommended that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) ensure that all boats used for commercial purposes (goods and people) on national inland waterways are registered.
It further stated that the authorities must guarantee that proper safety measures are developed and enforced in our inland waterways.
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Junior Pope last words
“Na only me dem born. I have three children; na me go raise them.”
Junior Pope’s final words, before he died in a boat accident, were a mix of anxiety and awareness of the dangers of filming on the River Niger. He shouted above the din of the boat, warning that they were taking risks to delight their audience. He also expressed concern about the water entering the boat, mentioning that he was the only child and had three sons.
Junior Pope Death
On April 10, 2024, while filming a film in Asaba, Junior Pope and other colleagues crossed the Niger River in a high-speed, frail, canoe-converted boat.
The boat capsized a few hours after leaving shore, drowning Junior Pope and two industry associates. After informing the surrounding communities, a search was conducted, and Junior Pope’s body was discovered.
Assuming Junior Pope was dead, the community members transported his body to the nearest mortuary, where the attendant on duty declared him to be still alive.
Junior Pope was transported from the mortuary to Asaba Hospital, where physicians pronounced him dead. He died at age 39.
Junior Pope Wife
Junior Pope got married to his wife, Jennifer Okpuno Awele, in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria, in 2014.
Jennifer, Junior Pope’s wife, is a professional event planner in Delta State who has worked with movie stars such as Regina Daniels and Ruth Kadiri.
Junior Pope Children
In a 2023 interview, Junior Pope said he met his wife after commenting on a Facebook post. Since then, they have courted, married, and had three children: Jason, Jamon, and Jaden Odonwodo. Before his death, Junior Pope lived in Asaba, Delta State, with his wife and children.
Net Worth
Junior Pope is estimated to be worth more than $200,000.00 as of 2024.
In 2021, a fire destroyed Junior Pope’s Asaba residence. Nevertheless, he made headlines in 2023 for reconstructing his Asaba mansion with a more appropriate structure.
Junior Pope owns a Lexus SUV and a Toyota Venza. He is also said to own a fleet of cars driven by his wife and other family members.
The veteran actor also possesses a large collection of garments, some of which are thought to be of high quality. This sense of style has won him a reputation as a top fashion expert among his peers in the film industry.
Social Media Handle
Just so you know, Junior Pope lived a very sophisticated and celebrity-filled existence, which he documented on his Instagram feed.
His Instagram handle is @jnrpope
