‘I am shocked’: Peter Obi, Saraki mourn Junior Pope’s death

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has described the death of Nollywood actor, John Paul Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope, as a rude shock.

Tribune Online reports on Wednesday that the actor, alongside three others, tragically passed away after their boat capsized in the Anam River in Anambra state while returning home from locations.

Reacting to the death of the actor via his verified X account on Thursday, the former Anambra state governor described the death of the young actor as a painful and devastating experience.

In the lengthy post, he stated that the actor’s death is a great loss to the entertainment industry, adding that the young actor has brought joy to many Nigerians through the energetic delivery of his roles.

He, however, commiserated with the family of the actor, families of the other victims of the incident, and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) during this difficult period.

He wrote, “I am shocked by the reports of the death of yet another vibrant Nollywood actor, Pope Obumneme Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope. Our entertainment industry, and indeed our dear nation, is once again thrown into mourning, by the death of this young talented actor.

“Junior Pope was known for his energetic acting, always comically delivered to entertain and educate. He brought smiles to the faces of many through his roles in movies and comedy skits. His death is yet another great loss to the entertainment industry which has in recent years risen to become a most vibrant sector of our social and economic life. I am even more saddened to imagine the pain and agony of the families they have just left behind.

“Death is a very painful experience, but the death of a young one with a promising future is even more devastating. I sincerely commiserate with his family and the families of others who also lost their lives in the boat accident. I also condole with the Actors Guild of Nigeria, and the entire entertainment industry. May God give them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this sad irreplaceable loss, and grant eternal rest to the dead. -PO.”

Similarly, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who also mourned the death of the actor described it as a significant tragedy for the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Saraki, who mourned the actor’s death alongside the death of a Kannywood veteran actress, Hajiya Saratu Gidado, on his X account on Thursday, prayed for the families of the two entertainers in this difficult time.

He tweeted, “Over the past two days, the Nigerian entertainment industry has suffered great losses with the passing of two prominent figures: veteran Kannywood actress Hajiya Saratu Gidado, and just last night, Junior Pope. These sudden losses represent a significant tragedy for our entertainment industry.

“As Nollywood mourns these losses, I pray that the families of Hajiya Gidado and Junior Pope find strength and solace at this difficult time. They will both be dearly missed.”